FRHI Americas Press Coverage Highlights Report Q2 2016 by Hadley Schroll

Region â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Americas Public Relations Monthly Report Q2 2016

FRHI HOTELS & RESORTS PUBLIC RELATIONS - REGIONAL MONTHLY REPORT

TRAVEL / California & the West

What's cooler than a pool in the desert? Becoming a mermaid in a pool in the desert — here's how

Mermaids in training at the Phoenician in Phoenix. (The Phoenician)

By Terry Gardner JUNE 20, 2016, 7:00 AM

ermaids in the Arizona desert? It sounds crazy until you think about all the swimming pools. The Phoenician and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess are offering mermaid classes this summer, with guests getting a chance to get beyond mermaid envy and actually swim with a tail.

You must be a good swimmer and you must be comfortable underwater. And you must be a hotel guest. Aquamermaid School at the Phoenician is a onehour swimming lesson for mermaids and mermen. Participants wear a mermaid tail monofin, although the Aquamermaid swim instructor doesn’t. Separate classes (limited to 10 participants) are offered for children 7 to 13 and teens (older than 14) and adults on Friday afternoons and Saturday and Sunday mornings.

“Once they put the tail on, they’re not thinking about a swimming lesson,” head swim instructor Kari Humphreys said. “It takes the mind off it and they have a good time.” For adults, Humphreys said, swimming with a monofin is a great core workout. Info: Classes cost $70 per person for the mermaid tail rental with a swim lesson. Reservations are required: (480) 4232572. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Mermaid University is a 90minute mermaid experience with Moon Mermaid at the hotel’s new Sunset Beach Pool. Classes are offered on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings for kids 7 to 12. Trainees watch a safety video before pirates carry in the Moon Mermaid (because, of course, she can’t walk on her tail). Info: Mermaid University costs $180 per child, is limited to 12 participants and includes a FinFun monofin mermaid tail, goggles, a book by Moon Mermaid and a diploma with the guest’s chosen mermaid name. Reservations are required: (480) 5136014 ALSO In San Ignacio Lagoon, Mexico, the whales are so close you could kiss them—or at least try Weekend Escape: Visiting Avalon’s little sister on Santa Catalina Island Deal: Grand Canyon Railway offers free rides and selected meals for kids Copyright © 2016, Los Angeles Times

http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/restaurantsandnews/the-7-best-restaurants-in-america-forwatching-summer-fireworks/ss-AAh8M8w#image=3

Brand Publishing / Travel+ / Destination British Columbia

Quick and affordable escapes to British Columbia

Photograph courtesy of Destination BC

JUNE 16, 2016, 8:40 AM

hen wanderlust strikes, yet you don’t have a lot of time or money to spare, look north to British Columbia. By day, you can explore Vancouver’s spectacular outdoor urban playground without ever leaving city limits and at night partake in its impressive restaurant scene that’s on par with any

European capital. Add on a night to visit charming Victoria, 90 minutes away by ferry; its oldworld sensibilities will have you feeling like you’re on a different continent entirely. Best of all, British Columbia is only a short flight away, and the strong U.S. dollar means your money goes further making your trip even more affordable. Walk, cycle or row your way around town No car? No problem. Vancouver is consistently rated Canada’s most walkable city, which means you’re never more than a stone’s throw away from a park, coffee shop or market and can easily explore the city on foot. Or you

can cycle your way from your hotel to the sites thanks to the city’s new bike share program launching in summer 2016. Similar to New York City’s Citi Bikes, Mobi will offer 1,500 bicycles for shortterm rental at 150 stations throughout the city. If you're looking for a more leisurely ride, head over to Stanley Park Seawall, the world’s longest uninterrupted seawall, where you can tour the 5 ½mile loop in about an hour. Along the scenic path, you’ll pedal by First Nations totem poles and Brockton Point Lighthouse and might spot native wildlife, including harbor seals and bald eagles. For a unique vantage point, there’s nothing like seeing the city from the water. Rent a kayak in False Creek, which, in fact is not a creek at all, but an inlet, making it an ideal place to paddle for people of all skill levels. You’ll have an impressive view of cityscapes to the north and south. Another mustdo is a ferry or aquabus to Granville Island. The peninsula is complete with numerous theaters that feature everything from dance to Shakespeare to improv; craft studios where artisans sell handblown glass, pottery, jewelry and more; and the public market, a food lover’s dream featuring local produce, including cherries the size of plums, cheese of all kinds, freshly baked breads and locally produced wine and artisanal sake. When you’re ready for lunch, head to the food court for a bowl of udon or an authentic plate of fish and chips. Dining options in Vancouver range from light fare at a casual bistro to a full tasting menu at a fourstar restaurant. For something quick, tasty and fun, head to Salt Tasting Room in Gastown. It’s located on the ominous sounding Bloody Alley, but today is at the heart of a trendy, cobblestoned neighborhood. You’ll know you’ve found the restaurant by the salt shaker flag above the door. Chances are you’ll be seated next to a local as you enjoy a plate of charcuterie and cheese with a glass of wine or wine flight. The menu options are always changing, but the emphasis is on local British Columbia wines. For a special night out, make a reservation at the muchlauded Hawksworth Restaurant. It’s known for its fresh, creative food that showcases local seafood, meats and produce. If you can carve out the time, request the chef’s tasting menu for a dining experience you’ll never forget. Recent options included hamachi tartar and confit lamb neck tagine with smoked carrots. The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, has a decidedly British flair thanks to its double decker buses, formal tearooms and classic English gardens. The journey over from Vancouver via ferry is well worth the trip in an of itself and you may even spot an orca on the way. Visitors during the summer are greeted by 1,500 hanging baskets dotting the lampposts around the city. Tour historic Victoria Harbor, where you can visit the Parliament buildings and enjoy high tea at the stately Fairmont Empress. It has been serving the traditional British afternoon treat since it opened its doors in 1908. A favorite summer weekend activity is fireworks in the Butchart Gardens every Saturday night through Sept. 3. Get there early to explore the Japanese, rose and Mediterranean gardens before sitting down to dinner in the dining room of what was the original Butchart home. The restaurant serves produce from the garden’s farms in seasonallyinspired dishes.

Of course all that touring can leave you parched! Victoria has been at the forefront of the craft brew and cocktail renaissance. You won’t want to miss Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, a forefather of the craft brew scene. You can enjoy your IPA with a burger or woodfired pizza. Or if you prefer cocktails, stop by the always chic Veneto Tapa Lounge in the Hotel Rialto. It’s part restaurant, part lounge and always a lively and fun place for tasty sharing plates with friends. The cocktails are cleverly named things like “There’s an App for That” or “Darth Matter” and the bartenders are there to make sure you have a good time. —Anne Fritz for Destination BC Copyright © 2016, Los Angeles Times

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And get unlimited access on all your devices See my options! Home» Life» Parenting» Father's Day

UB611 Stainless Steel Squeezer.jpg.jpeg gift guide the crafty bartender Courtesy of (Thecraftybartender.com)

Father's Day gifts to help dad craft the perfect cocktail Add to ... Dave McGinn The Globe and Mail Published Wednesday, Jun. 15, 2016 11:29AM EDT Last updated Wednesday, Jun. 15, 2016 11:33AM EDT 1 Comment 36

Moms need a good drink just as much as dads; yet,

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it’s the paterfamilias who is most often the recipient of Follow Dave McGinn on Twitter: a boozerelated tribute.

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Father’s Day is the secondbusiest holiday after Christmas at BYOB Cocktail Emporium, says Kristen Voisey, owner of the Toronto store. “We sell a lot of whisky decanters and whisky tumblers and Scotch glasses,” she says. “It’s almost as easy as a tie.” While you probably can’t go wrong getting essential bar gear for pops, there’s a lot of room from good to great. To get you there, we asked bartenders across

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the country to recommend the topnotch tools of the trade.

Why dressing fancy is a good thing for dads – and their kids A father of invention: owning the dad ness in brands What it’s like ... for a father to teach his daughters about sexual health 1 Comment

Koriko Hawthorne strainer (cocktailkingdom.com)

A Hawthorne strainer Jeffrey Van Horne, a Dartmouthbased bartender and former bar manager at Lot Six Bar & Restaurant “The Hawthorne strainer fits all shaker tins, Boston glasses* and other mixing glasses and uses a spring to hold the broken shards of ice, fruit and herbs back while straining the cocktail. This is the essential strainer that all bartenders use for both shaken cocktails (containing citrus, muddled fruit and herbs) and stirred cocktails (containing only clear ingredients such as spirits, bitters, vermouth, sugar syrup, etc.).

“When the Hawthorne strainer is put in place on the opening of the shaker tin, you should be able to open and close the gate of the strainer, which mediates the flow of the cocktail out of the shaker tin. The quality of the Hawthorne strainer is often judged by the tightness of the coil in the spring (the tighter the coil the finer the strain) and how it fits onto the shaker tin. My favourite is the Koriko Hawthorne strainer from CocktailKingdom.com. It comes in three options: stainless steel, copper or goldplated if you want to be really fancy.” Koriko Hawthorne strainer, $22.95 (U.S.) at cocktailkingdom.com *A large glass or plastic mixing glass with a large bottom that is used for shaking.

Seamless Paddle Mixing Glass (cocktailkingdom.com)

A mixing glass Grant Sceney, head bartender, Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, and Diageo World Class Canada bartender of the year in 2014 “Having good mixing glasses is sure to elevate your game. They are no longer just for bars, and they look great on display. Its shows you grasp the fundamental difference of making a proper martini – stirred, not shaken – and allows the home bartender to make multiple classics, including the old fashioned, Manhattan and Negroni, to name a few. My vessel of choice is this 550ml Seamless Paddle Mixing Glass.” Seamless Paddle Mixing Glass 550 ml, $39.95 (U.S.)

at cocktailkingdom.com

Muddler (Turnco Wood Goods)

A wellsealed muddler Liam Bryant, bar manager at Acorn Restaurant in Vancouver

Does the idea of a private reception desk, butler services, and fully stocked bars tickle your fancy for your next trip? You’re in luck. Many high-end properties are opting for special club-level floors and boutique hotel-within-a-hotel concepts that provide extraordinary services. “More travelers are realizing how much value and luxury an upgrade to club level can add to their trip,” says Darren Crumpton, director of sales and marketing at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. “In New Orleans, especially during festive events such as Mardi Gras, many guests feel that having a private retreat located in a separate wing of the hotel is essential.” Tricia Taylor, the general manager of the Breakers Palm Beach, who spearheaded the development of its new Flagler Club, agrees: “I believe there is demand among guests who want to enjoy the breadth of hotel or resort facilities and services, but coupled with accommodations that feel private and exclusive with a sense of ease and calm.” Herewith, our ten favorite club-level accommodations within larger hotels to visit this year.

Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver

Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver A concierge staff at the Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver’s new Gold floor is on hand to anticipate a guest’s every need. The club-level amenities include a private check-in area, a cozy lounge providing sanctuary from the bustle of the hotel, cocktail-hour canapés, and breakfast, among others. The eighth- and ninth-floor guest rooms were renovated by local firm B+H CHIL Design to create a casual West Coast feeling that embraces the hotel’s waterfront location. From $468/night; fairmont.com

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/club-level-hotel-upgrades

These Hotels Make Your Beauty Sleep Their Top Priority

If there's one thing any hotel worth its minibar promises, it's that you'll get a truly excellent night's sleep. But given the average adult's general sleepdeprived statusand that our lack of sleep has become something of a national obsessionhotels are doing more than just providing clean sheets and the promise that someone else will make your bed. Sleep has become a coveted amenity at hotels and spas around the world, with special programs, spa treatments, and services all focused on helping guests drift off for the ultimate nap. Here's a look at a few of the hotels worth checking intoso you can nod off. At the Library Hotel in New York, you can borrow everything from eye masks, special pillows, foam or featherbed toppers, and wake up without desiccated skin, thanks to inroom humidifiers. Special headband headphones (SleepPhonesaka "pajamas for your ears") are also available to lull you to sleep.

To please your inner Goldilocks, guests at the Conrad Miami can choose from a menu of pillows, including the Lshape Pillow, TriCore Pillow, Mediflow Water Pillow, WalPilo, PilloPedic and Theraputica Pillow. If you don't drift off after (as well as during) the 110minute Peacefulness Treatment at the RitzCarlton in Naples, Florida, you may not be entirely human. This therapy is designed for an overactive mind or anyone who has trouble falling asleepand staying asleep. You'll go from aromatherapy milk bath to foot scrub to aromatherapy, and finally finish off with a 20minute nap on a warm feather duvet. Part of the slate of Sleep Programming at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess includes 30 or 60minute naps in the "So Sound Acoustic Resonance Room," where speciallydesigned zero gravity lounger (aka the Adult Nap Chair) create a cocoon of sound resonance, with choreographed tones and vibrations. If clearing your mind is the only thing that will help you nod off, consider a trip out East, to Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, where they you can Zen out with an ocean view. Guests will be able to choose their favorite type and length of meditation on Deepak Chopra's newly launched health and wellness platform, Jiyo, such as a meditation to offer relaxation and help getting to sleep. Also available: meditations right on the beach. Want to spend a whole a week focusing on sleep? Block off October 17 at Rancho La Puerta, in Mexico, for "Mindful Sleep, Mindful Dreams Week," where there will be a bumper crop of therapeutic sessions and daily lectures on sleeping well, plus a morning "Sleep and Dreams Circle" where you can unload your crazy, incomprehensible dreams on other guests.

10 Best Happy Hours on the Westside BY NILE CAPPELLO

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016 AT 7 A.M.

'Merica Burger at Ox & Son Anne Fishbein

The Westside can be a goofy place these days: There's the tech scene in Silicon Beach, the tourist trap that is Venice Beach, and the surfers, hipsters and corporate culture everywhere in between, from Westwood to Santa Monica. But if there's one thing that can unite everyone for a drink, it's that magical hour (or two or three) known simply as happy hour. Whether you’re looking to relax after a long day at work, catch up with a friend or just save some dough on date night, these great deals on drinks and bites are here to help. From the happy hour–only burger at Ox & Son to $2 oysters at the Lobster, here are our favorite happy hours to check out on the Westside.

check out on the Westside.

Nile Cappello

Brick + Mortar While Brick + Mortar’s bottomless mimosa brunch may bring this Main Street eatery the most attention, its best kept secret is the happy hour, offered Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. With six hours of discounted plates and drinks, there’s plenty of opportunity to try out the whole menu. Shared items range from $5 to $12 and include a chuck burger, chili-glazed wings and a cheese board, while pizzas will run you $11 and come in four varieties, including barbecue chicken and margherita. Pair it with a $5 well drink, a $6 house wine or a draft beer, which are $2 off during happy hour. 2435 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 450-3434, brickandmortar-brg.com.

Matthew Christopher Miller

FIG It may be located at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, but FIG has won over a local crowd with its locals-only happy hour, FIG at FIVE, which runs daily from 5 to 6 p.m. Instead of curating a separate, discounted menu, FIG keeps things simple and offers half off most items on the regular menu. Which means happy hour patrons can ball out on a budget with FIG’s high-end and seasonally inspired dishes, including the steamed Manila clams and fresh bucatini pasta. The only downside? Happy hour is interpreted literally here — it's offered for just one hour — so you may have to chow down fast. figsantamonica.com.

101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 319-3111,

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6 Hotels Where A Good Night's Rest is Their Top Priority Have you heard we're a nation of under-slept zombies? Check in for a stay at one of these hotels and make a dent in your slumber deficit. 

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If there's one thing any hotel worth its mini-bar promises, it's that you'll get a truly excellent night's sleep. But given the average adult's general sleep-deprived status—and that our lack of sleep has become something of a national obsession—hotels are doing more than just providing clean sheets and the promise that someone else will make your bed. Sleep has become a coveted amenity at hotels and spas around the world, with special programs, spa treatments, and services all focused on helping guests drift off for the ultimate nap. Here's a look at a few of the hotels worth checking into—so you can nod off. ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

At the Library Hotel in New York, you can borrow everything from eye masks, special pillows, foam or featherbed toppers, and wake up without desiccated skin, thanks to in-room humidifiers. Special headband headphones (SleepPhones—aka "pajamas for your ears") are also available to lull you to sleep.

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WHERE TO GO

W H A T T O K N OW

Santa Monica, California, as seen from its famous pier on the Pacific

E AT,

S LE E P,

S HO P

NEOS DESIGN/CORY EASTMAN

THE DEPARTURES AGENDA

Geographically, cities are made up of neighborhoods—local areas that emerge either based on a plan or organically. Neighborhoods can be downtown, urban, suburban, or tiny towns. In the case of Los Angeles, there are more than 100 neighborhoods; when it comes to Marfa, Texas, there’s only one. For our annual America issue, departures went in search of the most dynamic neighborhoods in the U.S. right now. And the 11 neighborhoods in seven cities profiled here have one thing in common: their own sense of place.

DEPARTURES.COM

B L AC K B O O K / Cities in America

SA NTA

M ONICA

L.A.’S MICRO CITY

Everything that’s new and cool at the beach—now without the traffic to get there

Montana Ave.; 310-899-1029)

(above), the third outpost of the popular Beverly Hills nail salon.

Bungalow Living

which were redone by interior designer Michael Berman last year. The only cottages on L.A.’s Westside, they are residential in feel. We like the bi-level one-bedrooms, like No. 24; the three-bedroom bungalow No. 1 is ideal for families.

DEPARTURES.COM

Culinary Dynasty

Husband-and-wife team Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan oversee a Santa Monica restaurant empire: small-plates spot Rustic Canyon, pizzeria Milo & Olive, Huckleberry Bakery & Café, and five Sweet Rose Creamery ice cream shops throughout L.A. Their newest endeavors, which opened last year, are their most

ambitious yet: Cassia (1314 Seventh St.; 310-393-6699), which they run with chef Bryant Ng and his wife, Kim, serves Southeast Asian dishes like laksa (left); next door is their wine bar, Esters (1314 Seventh St.; 310-899-6900). 4

Oceanfront Hotels

Shutters (rooms from $700; 1 Pico Blvd.; 310-458-0030) and Casa del Mar (rooms from $495; 1910 Ocean Way; 310-581-5533),

which sit on adjacent beach lots, are both owned by brothers Edward and Thomas Slatkin. Shutters, with its New England– style shuttered exterior and interior design by White House decorator Michael S. Smith, is the perennial favorite of blue bloods. But don’t assume Casa del Mar is Shutters’ redheaded stepsister. The hotel, whose Mediterranean-style ambience attracts an international crowd, was overhauled by Smith in 2015, updating its high-ceilinged lobby. The new Terrazza Lounge is the perfect place to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.

5 Next-Door Neighborhood

Venice, which borders Santa Monica to the south, is known for its restaurants, with chef Travis Lett and restaurateur Fran Camaj’s Gjelina, Gjusta, and GTA being its anchors. The most recent big foodie news is the reopening of 37-year-old landmark Rose Café (220 Rose

Ave.; Venice; 310-399-0711)

(above) under new chef Jason Neroni, who expanded the menu to include dinner (order the hearth-roasted chicken). 6

Go for a Spin…Outside

On a nice day, skip indoor spin class at cult fitness chains SoulCycle or Cycle House and instead cruise around town on a bicycle from the new Breeze Bike Share (multiple locations; CONTINUED 310-828-2525).

▲

An alternative to big beach hotels, the Fairmont Miramar

Hotel & Bungalows (bungalows from $450; 101 Wilshire Blvd.; 310-576-7777) has 31 bungalows,

Get Beach-Ready

Only 3 percent of Santa Monica visitors head to Montana Avenue, a ten-block stretch with chic boutiques and fun restaurants beloved by locals. Before donning flip-flops, get a pedicure at the new Olive & June (1426

A bi-level bungalow at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CHRISTIAN HORAN PHOTOGRAPHY; PASCAL SHIRLEY; RICK POON; BONNIE TSANG

he beachside city of Santa Monica is its own paradise within L.A.’s sprawl; it even has its own government, police station, and fire department. “It’s like being in a small town with all of the culture and access to the city of L.A.,” says James Rosenfield, owner of the Brentwood Country Mart, which, despite its name, is located in Santa Monica. But now, with the May opening of the Santa Monica extension of the Expo Line—the light-rail also stops downtown and in Culver City—the neighborhood’s gems, like these here, have become more accessible than ever before to travelers and Angelenos alike.

B L AC K B O O K / Cities in America

Open-Air Shopping

On the Santa Monica border, the Brentwood Country Mart (225 26th St.; 310-458-6682), housed in nine

G E R MA NTOW N

NEW (OLD) NASHVILLE A 166-year-old suburb north of the city’s downtown is undergoing a renaissance, becoming the red-hot center for innovative restaurants and shops.

barnlike buildings, has longtime tenants like a barber shop and shoe repair alongside stores like Jenni Kayne, Broken English, and James Perse. Atlanta-based menswear boutique Sid Mashburn is opening this summer.

Surf and Turf

Line up at lunch for a tuna, salmon, or snapper bowl at Sweetfin Poké (829 Broadway; 310-395-1097). Meanwhile, two

stalls from downtown’s Grand Central Market recently debuted at the beach: butcher shop Belcampo Meat Co. (1026 Wilshire Blvd.; 424-744-8008) and Wexler’s Deli (616 Santa Monica Blvd.; 424-744-8671), known for its

Home-goods boutique Wilder stocks leather chairs, limitededition prints, and ceramics.

pastrami sandwich (above).

See a Film

After a two-year restoration, the 45-year-old Laemmle Monica theater reopened in February as the Monica Film Center (1332 Second St.; 310-478-3836), which shows independent, foreign, and art house movies. 10

High-Low Dining

Rustic Canyon, the neighborhood along Rustic Creek, is home to Patrick’s Roadhouse (106 Entrada Dr.; 310-459-4544), a diner where Arnold Schwarzenegger is a regular, and Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi (114 W. Channel Rd.; 310-573-1660), maybe the most

star-filled destination in all of Santa Monica. —Jessica Flint and Amanda Friedman

DEPARTURES.COM

here’s a joke around Nashville that its mascot should be a crane—not the elegant bird but the construction machine that’s busy building a new version of the Southern music hub. Just one glance toward the skyline—at least 160 projects are under way—proves the city’s thriving, and although it’s primarily still car-centric, some semiwalkable neighborhoods are blossoming amid all the rapid development. Take Germantown, just five minutes north of downtown. Its historic 18 blocks next to the Cumberland River were established by European immigrants in the 1850s. Today, it’s leading Nashville’s reinvention through fine dining, artisanal goods, and luxury apartments; there are more than 3,200 units in the works within sweeping industrial spaces, converted brick townhouses, and architecturally innovative new developments. But it does still lack for a hotel. For the time being, stay in the heart of downtown at the historic Beaux Arts Hermitage Hotel (rooms from $300; 231 Sixth Ave. N.; 615-244-3121) or the more modern Hutton (rooms from $290; 1808 West End Ave.; 615-340-9333).

Standout Restaurant

Few establishments are more lauded than chef Philip Krajeck’s Rolf and Daughters (700 Taylor St.; 615-866-9897). Start with the

seaweed butter served with sourdough, then try shareable dishes like squid-and-chickpea salad with mint or dry-aged beef tartare with watermelon radish. 2

Coffee Talk

Nashville takes its coffee seriously, and two of the town’s best spots turn a morning ritual into high art. At Steadfast (603 Taylor St., 615-891-7424), the highlight is their Augmented Coffees, like the bitter brûléed latte that’s topped with charred

FROM LEFT: WEXLER’S DELI; ZACHARY GRAY

NEWS

Fairmont’s new hotel brand: Luxury bee hotels

By Barbara Bohn on 6/15/2016

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and the nonprofit Pollinator Partnership are taking the hotel concept to an unlikely guest: wild mason bees. The bees have ten “hotels” to visit at Fairmont hotels in the United States. It’s an attempt to stem habitat loss for the pollinators, a leading cause for the decline in wild bee populations, which are responsible for the pollination of one-third of the food produced in the U.S. “Fairmont is the industry leader when it comes to supporting honeybee health and has been leading this charge over the decade. Expanding our focus to wild mason bees and their need for habitat is a natural evolution of our bee programming,” said Jane Mackie, vice president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “Wild bees are incredibly efficient pollinators and we rely on them for 80% of the food we eat. Our hope is that these 10 bee hotels become the first of many that are built by businesses and Americans across the country.” The hotels’ Bee Sustainable initiative aims to improve the health and conservation of bee species globally, and has built 40 apiaries and pollinator bee hotels at properties around the world. The Fairmont bee hotels were built by engineers in consultation with Pollinator Partnership, the largest not-forprofit organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. Designs incorporate reused materials and were inspired by the local surroundings, using, for instance, a wine barrel at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and a design incorporating the Washington monument at the Fairmont in D.C.

The hotel company is also selling some of the premade bee hotels starting in July. Chefs at

A bee hotel, from the Fairmont Winnipeg's Instagram feed

participating hotels are also incorporating menu items with ingredients that rely on bees for pollination, such as tomatoes and eggplants.Â

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Favorite upscale hotels: Top picks from our travel panel Nancy Trejos (http://www.usatoday.com/staff/2150/nancytrejos/), USA TODAY

6:05 p.m. EDT May 30, 2016

RitzCarlton was named the the favorite upscale hotel brand by USA TODAY's Road Warriors panel of frequent travelers. (Photo: Don Riddle, RitzCarlton)

These days, robots are increasingly appearing with hotel room service orders, smartphones are serving as keys, and tablets are controlling the room temperature. But for USA TODAY Road Warriors who have the budget to stay at upscale hotels, human interaction is the key to making them loyal to a particular brand. “The difference is the people,” says Robert Getzenberg, a scientist in Memphis.

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Getzenberg’s favorite upscale brand is The RitzCarlton, which is part of Marriott International. “They really seem to care and try to find ways to make your stay more pleasant,” he says. “They simply put the best product together and make you feel a little special while you travel.” USA TODAY conducted an informal survey to determine the favorite upscale hotel brands among readers. A total of 102 members of our Road Warriors panel cast votes. These frequent travelers chose a variety of brands run by companies big and small. But the one that got the most votes —11—was The RitzCarlton, which operates 87 hotels and resorts in 29 countries. Ramesh Murthy, a vice president of global planning for Hasbro, Inc, who lives in Greenville, R.I., recently stayed at the Ritz in Barcelona.

The staff paid special attention to the fact that he was traveling with his children and had daily treats for them. His daughter’s birthday coincided with the trip, and the hotel surprised her with a cake. “The concierge staff was extremely friendly and capable, helping us with our daily activities and excursions and always sent us to great experiences,” he says. “I have never had a bad experience at a RitzCarlton hotel.”

USA TODAY

Best U.S. airlines: Picks from USA TODAY's travel panel

(http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/roadwarriorvoices/2016/04/24/bestusairlines usatodayroadwarriors/83396976/) Marriott’s upscale brands, including the J.W. Marriott, topped the list of hotels named as favorites by Road Warriors, with a total of 26 votes. Marriott, which has 19 brands of all price ranges, is in the midst of buying Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Once that merger is complete, the combined company will become the largest hotel chain in the world. J.W. Marriott hotels also fared well, with five votes. “Every J.W. that I've stayed in is perfect,” says Doug Hildebrand, a regional account manager in Hagerstown, Md. “They always exceed expectations. The rooms are always spectacular, the beds are comfortable, the bathrooms you don't want to leave.” Starwood, whose luxury brands include St. Regis and W Hotels and Resorts, got 17 votes. Seven Road Warriors singled out St. Regis, in particular the New York City property. “The original iconic New York location is the best, where everyone remembers your name, favorite room and even breakfast choices,” says Arthur Brandt, a lawyer in Chicago. Hilton Worldwide, another hospitality giant, had a strong showing with its upscale brands, Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts and Conrad Hotels and Resorts. Frederick Plummer II, an aircraft consultant in DeBary, Fla., says the Conrad in Bali is his favorite upscale hotel. His wife and two children stayed there last March in a waterfront two bedroom suite. The pool was right outside their door. They offered a free kids’ club and other activities they could pay for such as trapeze. They got free afternoon tea and snacks. “The property is amazing, the service is excellent and you will not want to ever leave,” he says. David Stollman, a Boca Raton, Fla., resident and president of the educational group CAMPUSPEAK, prefers the Roosevelt Hotel, a Waldorf Astoria property, in New Orleans. “Old world charm in an amazing city,” he says. “The historic Sazerac bar has perfect ambiance and style. The lobby is elegant and truly breathtaking.” Hyatt Hotels earned high marks for its Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt brands. Jonna Stopnik, an executive in Huntington Beach, Calif., calls the Park Hyatt Tokyo a favorite. The views from the governor’s suite are amazing as is the Japanese wood soaking tub, Stopnik says. The room comes with butler service. “Very exceptional in Tokyo and amazing resort luxury for anywhere in the world,” Stopnik says. Some smaller hotel chains that only concentrate on providing a luxury experience also got recognition from Road Warriors.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, which has 98 properties in 41 countries, had a strong showing with nine votes. Consistency is the key for Nicholas Logothetis, a New Yorkbased executive board member of Libra Group, a company that invests in various industries. “Whether you are in Baltimore or Boston or Beverly Hills, you can expect the same extremely high quality of service and product that makes life on the road easier,” he says. “It’s the small things that matter when you are traveling so much, and having the ability to know what kind of pillows you will get or the reliability of the room service menu etc. makes all the difference.” Terry Simpson, a doctor in Phoenix, prefers the Four Seasons in L.A. and Seattle, especially because of their treatment of his son. “They both have toys for him, age appropriate, and everyone in the hotel knows him and says ‘Hi JJ,’ from the bellmen on,” he says. “They clearly do their homework.” He also likes their social media savvy. “They always respond (on Twitter)," he says. Rob Newman, a television commercial producer who splits his time between L.A. and Thailand, prefers the Mandarin Oriental brand, which has just 29 hotels in 24 countries. His favorite is the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. He has stayed there more than 75 times. He says they pay attention to people's passport photos. “Without the guests knowing, they try to memorize their face,” he says. “So, someone who has just checked in the day before is greeted with a smile and name recognition.” With 60 hotels, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Fairmont wowed a few Road Warriors. “I have stayed at several in Canada – Vancouver, Toronto, Lake Louise, Calgary – and in the U.S. – Santa Monica, San Francisco and Sonoma – and the service is always top notch and consistent,” says Ira Gostin, a mining executive in Reno. “Good, clean rooms with varying degrees of amenities and great beds and towels. The property in Sonoma, and their restaurant Sante, are among my top three hotels in the world.”

USA TODAY

Favorite U.S. airports: Top picks from our travel panel

(http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/roadwarriors/2016/01/17/roadwarriorspick favoritedomesticairports/78854080/) Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1VoRetg

Fairmont is upping the buzz at ten of its hotels, by working with Pollinator Partnership to create rooftop beehivesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;which they're calling bee hotelsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to help increase the wild bee population. Fairmont is not the first to do so (the Waldorf Astoria New York and Peninsula Paris also have beehives on their rooftops), but they might just be the first to do so on a brand level.

And these insects are getting some pretty sweet digs. The bee hotels were designed with their luxury home base in mind, including a wine barrel bee hotel at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and a miniature version of the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, to a design that features the Washington monument at the Fairmont in DC.

Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels

A bee hotel is also coming to the Plaza in New York: It will be French-inspired, like the hotel itself, and was developed in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy and Fairmontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international Bee Sustainable partner, River of Flowers.

Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels

To make things a little sweeter for guests, executive chefs at participating Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have developed special menu items with ingredients that rely on bees for pollination. “It is critical that we find ways to protect the bee community and give them a place to nest,” said chef Todd English, who runs the food hall at the Plaza. “Some of my favorite ingredients, such as tomatoes and eggplant, only exist due to pollinator bees.”

Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels

A series of Bee Sustainable packages will also be available throughout the summer with participating hotels offering 10 percent off the daily rate and a $50 dining credit per stay. Ten dollars from each stay will also be donated to Pollinator Partnership to support important bee research and programming.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/luxury-hotels/fairmont-beehotels

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CAMPING

6 Great Camps for Grownups by Valli Herman

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JUNE 5, 2016, 10:00 AM EDT

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Space camp training for in-space work on shuttle. Courtesy of Meg McKinney—Adult Space Academy

No mess hall cuisine. You can live out your childhood fantasies in style. Maybe it’s because of the stress of working with 24/7 connectivity. Or perhaps it’s just that more of us are nostalgic for our childhood. But camps for grownups have surged in popularity. About 200 of the 2,400 camps accredited by the American Camp

childhood. But camps for grownups have surged in popularity. About 200 of the 2,400 camps accredited by the American Camp Association are for adults and families, though experts say many more adult camps exist.

“When people finally get time to relax, sitting by the pool for five hours with a piña colada doesn’t cut it anymore,” says Tammi Leader Fuller, founder of Campowerment, a fouryearold sleepaway camp for women.

Adult camps don’t necessarily have s’mores and bunk beds. What defines the camps is that they enable grownups to explore a passion, live out a childhood dream, or simply have fun and games in the woods. Some camps are quite luxe; others, rustic. Looking for some inspiration? Here’s a sampling.

For more on traveling, watch this Fortune video:

Cognitive sports is here.

See how you can outthink second place

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Courtesy of Sonoma County Grape Camp

Cost: Four days, $5,000 per couple; $3,200 single Motto: “From grape to glass.” sonomagrapecamp.com

Days start in vineyards in California’s Sonoma County with lessons on plants and picking, then extend to the wineries for gourmet meals, cooking classes, tastings, and talks with winemakers. Accommodations are at the Vintners Inn, an intimate luxury hotel.

Campowerment’s Fancy Camp 

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Courtesy of Campowerment’s Fancy Camp

Cost: Weekend, $3,300 Motto: “Reignite your life.” campowerment.com

Fancy Camp is a retreat for women only, held at the fivestar Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego. The pamperingwitha purpose experience includes spa treatments, meditation, astrology, and workshops focused on everything from parenting to careers. And of course, there are singalongs and s’mores. More rustic Campowerment retreats are held around the country.

Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp 

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DESTINATIONS

Hotels in San Francisco Are Cultivating Roof-to-Table Honey GET YOUR DAILY DOSE OF NEWS FROM Kristin J. Bender, Associated Press - May 13, 2016 12:12 pm SIGN UP

Beekeeper Spencer Marshall checks a number of hives on a garden deck outside the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Eric Risberg / Associated Press

Hotels have increasingly been incorporating local ingredients in their food and beverage programs; this San Francisco beekeeping cluster is just a tiny example, but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get much more local than rooftop honey. Connect with Us

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hannah Sampson

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At the Clift Hotel in San Francisco, there are more than 370 rooms inside and 100,000 bees buzzing above in rooftop hives outside. Yes, honeybees. Aware of the well-publicized environmental threats to honeybees that have reduced numbers worldwide, seven San Francisco hotels have built hives on their rooftops. The sustainability effort also benefits the hotels as the bees produce honey for cocktails, food and spa treatments. It’s the latest in a series of environmental programs at hotels that includes low-flow toilets and aggressive recycling programs. “This is not about making money, it’s really about raising awareness about sustainability,” said Melissa Farrar, spokeswoman at the Fairmont in San Francisco. “There’s not one solution so we wanted to do our part to help. It’s part of the bigger effort for helping the planet.” Farrar said the four hives on the rooftop garden support about 250,000 bees and produce about 1,000 pounds of honey each year. In this foodie city, the honey is used in such things as the Clift’s Purple Haze drink with gin-infused lavender, honey syrup and lavender bitters, and their compressed watermelon salad with lavender-infused honey and goat cheese. Honey is used in beer at the Fairmont Hotel, and the jars of the product are sold in the gift shop. At the W, they make honey ice cream. The bee hives at hotels are not new, but the effort is growing every year. Fairmont’s first beehives were built in 2008 at the company’s hotels in Toronto and in Vancouver in an effort to help combat Colony Collapse Disorder. Since then, dozens have been installed at Fairmonts from Seattle to China and Africa. At the Clift, high above the city on the rooftop garden, 10 hives are buzzing with activity. Most guests don’t even know they are there. But the fruits of their labor are evident in the cocktails and food. You won’t find the squeezable honey bear container in Chef Thomas Weibull’s kitchen. “Since we are chefs in California, we like to use a lot of things that are local,” he said, talking about his pork adobo appetizer with a honey glaze. “Ninety five percent of our products are local and sustainable.” The bees produced more than 70 pounds of honey last year and are on track to do much more this year. The colony is expected to grow to 800,000 by next year, said

General Manager Michael Pace. His interest in bee hotels started last year when he took on the job of chairman of the Sustainability Committee for the Hotel Council of San Francisco. He spearheaded a larger effort between numerous local hotels to put bees on their rooftops as well. There are now seven hotels from Nob Hill to Fisherman’s Wharf with rooftop hives. At six of the hotels, the man who tends the hives is Roger Garrison, a waiter at the W San Francisco turned bee keeper. At the W, Garrison, who seems to like serving bees as much as people, configured the boxy hives like miniature skyscrapers to mimic the city grid below, with the gold dome of City Hall in the distance. Sometimes the job is painless. “Most of the time you just open the hives and everything is copasetic,” he said. Other times, it’s not. He gets stung almost daily. “It’s like taking a daily vitamin,” he said. But the payoff is big. Last year, the hotel produced 300 pounds of honey. Garrison cares for and tracks the bees. He said they have a natural GPS system that allows them to fly up from the 32nd floor up to two miles daily to forage for pollen and find their way back to the hive. “There’s a lot of gardens in San Francisco that aren’t visible to the eye but are visible to bees,” he said.

Copyright (2016) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This article was written by Kristin J. Bender from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.

Tags: food & drink, hotels, san francisco

TRAVEL INTEL · HEALTH

How to Book the Healthiest Hotel Room Ever Written by Cassie Shortsleeve May 11, 2016

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Warning: Duvets tend to be much cleaner than bedspreads at hotels.

    Industry insiders share the ve things to look for before your stay, so you can sleep (and feel) better.

Minibars stocked with fresh fruit, onsite gardens that help boost traveler’s moods, complimentary bike rentals: Hotels with a focus on wellness are the new norm. But there’s more to a healthy getaway than locallysourced ingredients or unique ways to sweat. Next time you travel, book a room that won't leave you feeling sluggish or sick, with these suggestions from industry insiders.

SECURE A SLEEP-FRIENDLY ROOM Anyone who crosses time zones regularly knows that jet lag can put a damper on your trip. But poor quality sleep can also hurt your health. Adjust more easily (and sleep like a log) by requesting an eastfacing hotel room, suggests James Maas, Ph.D., a leading sleep expert and author of Sleep for Success. Exposing yourself to morning sunlight can help your body adapt to your new surroundings, he says. Particularly susceptible to body clock changes? Ask about a hotel’s lighting. Dimmers are ideal, says says Erin Hoover, the vice president of global brand design at Westin Hotels and Resorts. Lowering the lights 30 minutes before bed signals to your body that it’s time to sleep. Another tip: “Ask for a room away from elevators to reduce noise transmission from the hallways,” she says.

ASK ABOUT AIR QUALITY Indoor air quality matters when it comes to your health—even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says so. Before locking down plans, confirm that the entire hotel is ‘nosmoking,’ says Michael “Doc” Terry, an associate instructor at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. “Most hotels have ‘nosmoking’ floors, but some have a ‘nosmoking environment.’” The latter is preferable. “Otherwise, you end up with a floor above or below you where there is smoking and that can filter into your room,” he says. Inquire about airconditioning systems, too—there's usually an inroom unit or central air A/C, says Terry, who previously worked as a hotel manager. “Central air is generally cleaner,” he adds, nothing that an air purifier will keep your room even more comfortable.

SEEK PROPERTIES THAT CLEAN WITH ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

If you’re super health conscious, call a hotel you’re considering to see if it uses eco friendly, nontoxic cleaning supplies, suggests Terry. Some traditional products release chemicals called volatile organic compounds, which have been linked to respiratory issues. (Natural supplies can also emit these chemicals, but they tend to have fewer of them.) Some hotel companies known for their efforts in this area, according to Terry: The RitzCarlton, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Cambria Suites, and the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Not sure which products are okay? The EPA has a list of safer choices.

SKIP ROOMS WITH CARPET WHEN YOU CAN Wood floors aren’t just a sign of decor done right, they’re also an allergy sufferer’s dream come true: “Carpet fibers collect mites and dirt,” says Terry. So if asthma’s an issue—or you just want to know you’re not surrounded by tons of dust mites—look for wood, marble, or other hard flooring without carpeting.

MAKE A ‘DUVETS-ONLY’ RULE Germaphobes, beware: “I don't care what hotel we’re talking about, bedspreads do not get cleaned on a regular basis,” says Terry. “Most are cleaned on an ‘asneeded basis.” Sometimes, that means if someone spots a stain, he says. Duvets, on the other hand, are much easier to clean and tend to meet the washer more frequently. So go ahead, be a bedding snob (duvets are far more heavenly anyway). Plus: Vote for your favorite hotels, cities, airlines, and more in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

Outlet: Robb Report Date: April 2016 Media Impressions: 405,860 PR Value: $109,851

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The hottest hotel perk? Artists As luxury properties seek to attract travellers in an increasingly competitive market, having artistin

residence programs – where guests can mingle with designers, writers and other creative types – is one way to distinguish themselves

Hotel Vagabond’s Artist in Residence Charlie B Wilder aka DJ Captain Planet wows guests along with singer Joy Villa. HOTEL VAGABOND

JUDITH RITTER The Globe and Mail Last updated: Monday, May 02, 2016 11:41AM EDT

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In the glamorous gold and crimson lounge at Hotel Vagabond in Singapore, Los Angeles music producer/DJ Charlie Wilder, more

familiar with dimly lit underground clubs than luxury hotels, is perched at his mixing board, taking transfixed hotel guests through the ABCs of music production. As the Vagabond’s artistinresidence, he mingles with guests at a nightly cocktail hour in exchange for his meals, a hotel room and a studio space. Meanwhile, 17,000 kilometres away in the midst of Miami’s hedonistic and glittery Ocean Drive, Monika Zgustova leads a literary salon discussing her female fictional protagonists at the Betsy, a restored colonialstyle hotel with white shutters and French windows. The noted Czech author is one of nearly 300 writers in the past eight years who have enjoyed the solitude (in the company of a multitude of books) of the Writer’s Room. Arts programs such as these are taking place at hotels across the globe: A painter in residence at the luxury Eden Rock in St. Barths talks with guests at cocktail events; a resident composer launches an opera for hotel patrons and the community at Corinthia Hotel London; and a writer at Eagles Palace in Greece hosts a nightly salon. Artists taking up residence in creativefriendly hotels is not new. Legacy properties such as New York’s storied Chelsea Hotel and London’s Savoy have been welcoming artists since the early 1900s. However, these more recent programs keep both artist and guest in mind and boast significantly more luxury than some of the bohemian digs of the past.

Amy Tan, Artist in Residence at the Betsy, hosts a salon with hotel guests and community members. THE BETSY

As hotels seek to attract guests (particularly experiencecraving millennials) in an increasingly competitive market, having artist inresidence programs (along with stateoftheart technology, high design and grabandgo food and beverages) is one of the ways to distinguish themselves. It is an initiative that serves a niche, mostly upscale market and is akin to offering a wellness program or a particular sport such

as scuba diving. Having an artist on call also dovetails nicely with a couple of major hospitality trends, says Jeff Weinstein, editor of Hotels Magazine. It’s what the industry calls the “lobby social,” the reinvention of lobbies and lounges as spaces to socialize and congregate – or as, Weinstein puts it, create “a Starbucks on steroids.” Having cultural activities and nightly social hours with a hotel’s artist in those social spaces is one way to satisfy the Facebook’s generation’s needs for togetherness, he says. The concept seems to take root most easily at small independent hotels where individual owners have a passion for the arts. At the familyowned Betsy, for example, brothersister duo Jonathan Plutzik and Deborah Briggs say that having an artist (often a writer) inhouse is very personal: They put the desk that belonged to their Pulitzer finalist poet father in their Writer’s Room. From the beginning, Briggs says, “we wanted a hotel built around luxury service and the arts and culture.” Their first writer was an exiled poet from Zimbabwe. Since then, Briggs says, they have had poets, essayists and novelists stay for five to seven days to “just do what they do.” The artist’s only obligation is to commit to do one event, a salon or master class for guests and interested members of the community. Like the owners of the Betsy, the Matthews family of St. Barths’s Eden Rock are art lovers. Initially, their hotel simply hung paintings they owned. That in itself wasn’t unusual, as many hotels have art collections. Soon, however, the hotel developed a reputation in the larger art world and, in conjunction with the New York Academy of Art, began a program that welcomed young artists to visit the property and paint in exchange for giving guests art lessons.

Nune D’amico won the ‘Blank Canvas’ event at the Moxy Milan. Her mural is now on permanent display at the hotel. NICOLO’GEMIN

Not surprisingly, New York has more than its share of similar programs. The independently owned Quin launched its program when it renamed and reopened the historic Buckingham Hotel, once residence to artists such as painter Georgia O’Keeffe and opera star Giuseppe De Luca. The Quin, with an artistic pedigree and lofty goal of “rekindling” the energy that created salons such as Gertrude Stein’s in Paris, has a decidedly contemporary take on the arts, hosting such artists as British graffiti practitioner Pure Evil and Vancouver’s improvisational violin sensation Rosemary Siemens. But it is not only small or familyowned hotels that are promoting the concept. Some wellknown hotel brands have versions of artistinresidence programs, often introduced out of a passion for the arts by a local manager or individual board member or as an initiative from the arts community. Programs such as these are interesting ways for brands to differentiate themselves, but “they rarely move the needle” financially, says Steve Carvell of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. And that’s okay with Joe Khairallah, chief operating officer of Milwaukeebased Marcus Hotels and Resorts. He was instrumental in bringing artistsinresidence to three of the chain’s hotels in locations one would not immediately think of as art hubs. “It’s not a gimmick,” he says of the programs at Milwaukee’s Pfister, the Skirvin in Oklahoma City and the Cornhusker in Lincoln, Neb. “We do it for the community. It is something we love.” The Marcus brand has offered residences to a diverse group, including a violin maker, a cyber artist and a visual artist who paints with beeswax. All are offered studios in the lobby, a stipend and meals at the hotel in exchange for interacting with guests in a variety of ways, including at a regular chef’s table. “We’ve had guests come back to the hotel the following year and be heartbroken that the artist they met had left,” Khairallah says.

Dutch designer Wilbert Das was so moved by his visit to the small village of Trancoso, in Brazil’s Bahia state, that he put down roots with the UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa. He shares his creative spirit with the designers and artists, like Brazilian artist Lucas Simoes (pictured here).

A few of the larger hotel brands have artistinresidence programs, but those also were initiated locally and not at a corporate level. Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge have programs that were started and are run by Wendy Wacko, founder of Mountain Galleries, in partnership with the hotels. Hotel guests at those locations can book halfday “experiences” with the artists and sometimes mingle with them at a cocktailhour art demonstration. The Maltabased luxury Corinthia Hotels program was initiated by Matthew Dixon, who at the time was general manager of Corinthia Hotel London. The hotel is in the heart of the city’s arts district, so he thought that an artistinresidence program would be a way to nurture upandcoming talent.

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HOTTEST HOTEL PERK ARTISTS As luxury properties seek to attract travellers in an increasingly competitive market having artist in residence programs where guests can mingle with designers writers and other creative types is one way to distinguish themselves JUDITH RITTER

InHotel the glamorous goldSingapore and crimson lounge at Vagabond in Los Angeles music producer DJ Charlie Wilder more familiar with dimly lit underground clubs than luxury hotels is perched at his mixing board taking transfixed hotel guests through the ABCs of music production As the Vagabond s artist in residence he mingles with guests at a nightly cocktail hour in exchange for his meals a hotel room and a studio space Meanwhile 17 000 kilometres away in the midst of Miami s hedonistic and glittery Ocean Drive Monika Zgustova leads a literary salon discussing her female fictional protagonists at the Betsy a restored colonial style hotel with white shutters and French windows The noted

Czech author is one of nearly 300 writers in the past eight years who have enjoyed the solitude

in the company of a multitude of books of the Writer s Room

Arts programs such as these are taking place at hotels across the globe A painter in residence at

the luxury Eden Rock in St Barths talks with guests at cocktail events a resident composer launches an opera for hotel patrons and the community at Corinthia Hotel London and a writer at Eagles Palace in Greece hosts a nightly salon

Artists taking up residence in creative friendly hotels is not new Legacy properties such as New York s storied Chelsea Hotel and London s Savoy have been welcoming artists since the early 1900s However these more recent programs keep both artist and guest in mind and boast significantly more luxury than some of the bohemian digs of the past As hotels seek to attract guests particularly experience craving millennials in an increasing ly competitive market having artist in residence programs along with state of the art technolo gy high design and grab and go food and bever ages is one of the ways to distinguish themselves

Artists Page 3

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FROM PAGE 1

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generation s attention span

Each Sunday night an artist takes up residence and on Monday morning shows what she or he created during the time at the hotel acehotel com

At their Milan hotel opening Moxy brand a newish off spring of the Marriott family rolled out a project called Blank Canvas which invites emerging artists to submit works of art for all new hotel

openings Moxy s global brand manager Vicki Poulos says the invitation gives artists an opportunity to create a site specific piece stay at the hotel and mingle with guests The point is we are creating some thing experiential and authen tic and generating buzz worthy content along with it moxy hotels mar riott com

Dutch designer Wilbert Das was so moved by his visit to the small village of Trancoso in Brazil s Bahia state that he put down roots with the UXUA Casa Hotel Spa He shares his creative spirit with the designers and artists who participate in the property s Artist in Casa program which allows them to stay and get in spired for a short period of time uxua com

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OPINION HOME | CLIPPER VACATIONS APRIL 30, 2016 9:00 AM ET

10 Things To Do In The Pacific Northwest in 2016

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runs from Victoria to Sooke is the perfect way to view the finest scenery in 3

4. SCUBA DIVE & SNORKEL IN NANAIMO’S WATERY DEPTHS

wolf eel, octopus and starfish. If you prefer to be less submerged, try snorkeling with the playful harbor seals found in the shallow waters off the coast. 5. TAKE VICTORIA BY BICYCLE With over nine popular biking trails that wind past local vineyards, bucolic farmlands and steep highlands, there is no better way to explore Victoria than by bike. If you left your bike at home, some hotels, such as the Hotel Grand Pacific, will even provide complimentary bikes to guests. 6. EXPERIENCE SEATTLE’S NIGHTLIFE The numerous amount of local theaters, lively music venues and trendy clubs provide a seemingly endless source of entertainment. Enjoy a rousing show at Paramount, Moore or Neptune Theatre or check out the bars in Pioneer Square and Fremont to experience Seattle’s vibrant nightlife. SEE MORE: Whale Watching With Clipper Vacations 7. WANDER PELINDABA LAVENDER FARM’S DEEP PURPLE FIELDS Breathe in the sweet, floral scent of lavender as you walk through fields of

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Nanaimo and slip into a different world. Explore the three sunken ship wrecks just outside the city’s harbor to a view a myriad of sea life, including rock fish,

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British Columbia.

Plunge deep into the cold, clear waters that surround the “Up Island” town of

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delicate purple flowers on the 25-acre San Juan Island farm. The blooms are at their peak during July, but you are welcome to visit Pelindaba anytime of the year and delight your taste buds with sweet lavender lemonade, iced tea, ice cream and cookies. 8. EXPLORE PORTLAND’S “GEM” OF A NEIGHBORHOOD Renowned for stylish shops, world class art galleries, premium restaurants and bars, the chic Pearl District is one of the most vibrant and fun neighborhoods in Portland. Be sure stop at the iconic Powell’s City of Books, the largest used and new bookstore in the world. 9. PAMPER YOURSELF AT VICTORIA’S FIVE-STAR SPAS Slow down, rid yourself of stress and rejuvenate at one of Victoria’s elegant spas. Indulge your senses by soaking in steaming hot mineral pools by the sea at Oak Bay Beach Hotel, treat yourself to nature-inspired spa treatment or relax in a soothing eucalyptus steam room and sauna at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Empress. 10. TAKE A WALK ON BRITISH COLUMBIA’S WILD SIDE Situated between Vancouver Island and mainland BC, the secluded Discovery Islands are a prime location for wildlife viewing. Cruise the sapphire waters along Quadra Island’s scenic coastline on a whales and bears nature tour to catch sight of black bears, seals, bald eagles and herons. This blog originally appeared on Clipper Vacations website. You can find an additional 20 more things to do in the Pacific Northwest by clicking on the link.

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May 06, 2016

What’s New In Whistler, British Columbia By Keith Flanagan

Change is afoot at this laidback locale; here’s what to do in the ski resort town during spring and summer—and before new developments (both exciting and peculiar) take hold.

Courtesy Fairmont Hotels

RELATED ARTICLES Wild Times on Vancouver Island Canadian Bounty La Crème du Canada

Whistler was made for winter: Built from scratch in 1966, its founders envisioned a ski town they hoped would one day host the Olympic Games. That dream came true in 2010, when the world saw Whistler as Whistler was intended: cloaked in snow for Vancouver’s winter ceremony. By then, Whistler Blackcomb already claimed the most skiable, and snowiest, terrains on the continent. Today, the ski resort still basks in some of the world’s best powder, with this year—its 50th anniversary season—making history with recordbreaking snowfall. But seasons change—and so do resort towns. News announced in April that Whistler Blackcomb is planning a $345 million “Renaissance” project to bolster the mountain facilities and terrain, as well as to add a series of allweather sports venues and adventure centers, is sure to further entice a storm of skiers, and beckon new crowds.

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Best to dodge them altogether: Before these changes arrive, a slew of recently opened highend offerings suggests the best time to visit Whistler is actually now. A warm Whistler may be less familiar, but it’s no less extraordinary. In spring and summer, the resort makes the most of its gorgeous surrounds, offering visitors everything from lake kayaking to golfing to mountain hiking. Cycling, the foremost activity during these warm weather months, is pegged to go the distance: A near halfmillion dollars worth of funding has already started connecting cultural institutions with designated pathways and bikeways, adding to the 25 miles of paved valley trails and 155 miles of offroad trails that already exist. Beyond the outdoors, fine art—a market that Aspen has more or less cornered for ski towns since the 1980s—just went worldclass after March’s opening of the Audain Art Museum. Housing an excellent collection of works from British Columbia’s homegrown artists, the museum, with an angular facade of blackcoated steel unlike any Whistler has seen before, encourages a new cultural expansion beyond the slopes. Habitués of Whistler Village’s après ski, meanwhile, will be treated to an entirely new tradition: Savvy restaurants, just a few months old, have begun setting up happy hours—a significant first for the resort town after an inhibiting liquor law was relaxed last year. And for those still clinging to their skis? Whistler Blackcomb, which already sports North America’s longest season, just announced it’s extending through May, with its uppermost glacier open through July—thanks again to that recordbreaking snowfall. The newest thing this spring and summer might just be a little more winter.

PLACES TO EAT + DRINK Stocked wine cellars, imported caviar, and buttonedup bars made of rosewood—even pewter—have long defined Whistler Village’s elegant fine dining scene. But a new convivial vibe, with inventive small

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plates and sleek interiors, is now broadening Whistler’s classic approach thanks to a clutch of recent openings. A linchpin of the establishment scene, Araxi Restaurant, the founding farmtotable spot in town, has opened its first new venture in over 30 years: Bar Oso (1504222 Village Sq.; 6049624540; baroso.ca). The svelte, Spanishstyle tapas bar nods to cosmopolitan fare with housemade charcuterie and an entire section of its cocktail list devoted to gin and tonics that incorporate fresh, herby ingredients sourced from around British Columbia. Basalt Wine + Salumeria (4154 Village Green #13; 6049629011; basaltwhistler.com) opened off the main square in November and has just launched its first spring menu. Its signature house pâté and chicken liver mousse can be paired with a broad selection of international wines, cured meats, and curated cheeses from Europe and the province at large. With pared down menus served in contemporary settings—more posh than proper— these new gems add a new dimension to a night on the town: casual, before and afterdinner spots perfectly suited for a leisurely sip or bite to eat.

THINGS TO DO The twomonthold Audain Art Museum (4350 Blackcomb Wy.; 6049620413; audainartmuseum.com) is home to billionaire philanthropist Michael Audain’s private collection, and “Moonlight Tours,” which debuted this April, offer intimate viewings—and thinner crowds—by nightfall (complimentary with admission; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.). Designed like a contemporary tree house in the forest, the museum’s entrances, framed in light hemlock wood, glow like lanterns above the tree line at night. Outdoors, a Bici Gusti Gourmet Ride (May 22; 604568 8648; bicigusti.com) takes 70 cyclists over 45 miles in Whistler and its neighboring Callaghan Valleys. The ride, which passes alpine lakes and mountains, culminates with an alfresco dinner prepared by Ned Bell, head chef of the Four Seasons Vancouver, using ingredients sourced from the same route. Taking to the skies, Whistler’s most daringly luxe tour outfitter, HeadLine Mountain Holidays, leads a new “HeliFishing & Hot Spring” excursion exclusively with Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Whistler (from $6,375; 4591 Blackcomb Wy.; 6049026415; headlinemountainholidays.com). Outfitted in topoftheline gear, guests are whisked by private helicopter to high alpine lakes and glacier rivers for prime fishing. The tour ends with a stop at a remote, natural hot spring where a Four Seasons chef prepares a mountainside feast using the guests’ catches of the day.

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB Thanks to its milehigh, skiable vertical, Whistler’s valley can flourish with green leaves, budding flowers, and emerging wildlife while Blackcomb Mountain’s uppermost Horstman Glacier keeps its snow, allowing for extended skiing through July. This year, it’s actually worth it: Rendezvous Lodge, Blackcomb Mountain’s main lodge, sheds its rustic aesthetic after a massive renovation, boasting minimalist architecture and a contemporary menu. Housed in the same hub, Christine’s on Blackcomb, also part of the overhaul, is now helmed by Steve Ramey, former sous chef of Vancouver’s esteemed Hawksworth Restaurant. Part of an ongoing project to make the lodges interactive, new charging stations and free WiFi connections make it easier for visitors to stay connected, and stay longer, while at the top. 6049678950; whistlerblackcomb.com.

WHERE TO STAY Accommodations, stunted by a hotel cap set in the 1980s to control visiting crowds, are doing their part to improve with fresh renovations long overdue. Chief among them is Fairmont Chateau Whistler (from $440; 4599 Chateau Blvd.; 6049388000; fairmont.com), which just refurbished their bathrooms

with new rainfall showers, marble tiles, and soaking tubs. This follows recent updates to its pool deck, health club, and popular Mallard Lounge (home to a new happy hour on Fridays), with more overhauls set to come. Meanwhile, Whistler Platinum continues to manage the destination’s most exclusive rental properties. April’s latest acquisition, the exceedingly modern fivebedroom Kadenwood 2927, is part of a private enclave of massive ecoestates perched high above the valley (from $1,250; 877932 1777; whistlerplatinum.com). One Backcomb Place, a boutique hotel, residence, and club, is also planned for the final stages of Whistler Blackcomb's Renaissance project. The resort will mint this proposed “sixstar” property using Whistler’s most precious hotel rooms—ones it had purchased rights to before the hotel cap was met. Image Credits: Joshua Peter Esterhuizen; Courtesy Fairmont Hotels

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TRAVEL INTEL · HOTELS

Why You Should Never Take Baths at Hotels Written by CNT Editors April 27, 2016

Courtesy Viña Vik

One of the world's most luxurious hotel bathrooms, in the VIK Master Suite at Chile's Viña Vik.

    The debate is on: to soak, or not to soak?

After a long ﬂight, a grueling day of business meetings, or simply walking around a new city, few things sound better than a hot bath. To some. Should you actually ﬁll up that hotel tub, you may sit in a stew of germs, bacteria, and cleaning chemicals. A 2012 study of hotel cleanliness found that housekeepers spend about 30 minutes on each room, and that some of the most contaminated hotel items are actually the sponges and mops in housekeepers' carts—a.k.a. the items used to clean the tubs. More recent research unveiled another sad truth: Hotel bathrooms are even dirtier than airplanes. But this isn't a big deal, right? There's bacteria everywhere, including our bathrooms at home. But when you think about how many people bathe in a hotel tub, the ick factor grows exponentially for germaphobes. So do you dare "dip" into a bath during trips? Conde Nast Traveler editors share their personal hotel tub policies.

SKIP THE SOAK "I am not a bath person, so it’s not at all surprising that I’m not a hotel bath person. I find them kind of boring, not as relaxing as I want them to be, and honestly, kind of gross. I just can’t get the idea that I’m sitting in my own broth out of my head (ew, I’m shuddering just typing that). Don’t get me wrong—I love a great, luxurious hotel shower (The Parker in Palm Springs is one of my favorites), but a long soak in a hotel tub where countless feet and who knows what else have been before me? Pass." —Jayna Maleri "I'm a maniac about germs, so the thought of getting into a bathtub used by countless other people gets a big 'no thanks' from me. Some also feel a little too...sexy. On a trip to Bali last fall, I stayed in one beachfront hotel that had a tub big enough to bathe a small elephant. And since there were no baby elephants nearby, it immediately occurred to me that this was a tub very specifically designed for two (or more than two)—which set my germ radar off big time. I already spend too much time thinking about what's lurking on the furniture, carpets, bed, and TV remote. The bathroom is usually my safe place. Thank God for bleach—and steam showers." —Caitlin Moscatello

PASS THE BUBBLE BATH

"There’s a reason I almost always choose a hotel over an Airbnb—to me, going on vacation means not having to make my own bed. And because I live in a New York apartment roughly the size of a large walk‐in closet, hotels are the only time I can soak in a bathtub. I’m not talking about a shower that happens to have a bathtub at the bottom—I mean a huge, deep, lovely, designed‐just‐for‐lounging‐with‐a‐book tub like at the Capella Washington, D.C. or the Fairmont Paciﬁc Rim in Vancouver, B.C., where you can release the tension of eight hours on your feet, running around a city. Many ultramodern hotels are doing away with tubs in favor of high‐tech rainforest showers (that you seemingly have to turn on with brain waves) but I’ll take a good, old‐fashioned clawfoot tub any day of the week." —Lilit Marcus "I only take baths in hotels—given how many people (on our staﬀ alone!) skip the tub in favor of a shower, I can't imagine they're used all that frequently. And so what if they are? There are professionals on the job to keep it shiny, and that's good enough for me. If I spent my life worrying about bacteria, I may not have enjoyed the candle‐lit, champagne‐accompanied soak that andBeyond's Phinda Rock Lodge had waiting for me as a surprise after a nighttime game drive in South Africa, complete with—I kid you not—moonlight streaming in through the windows. What's germy about that? It made a romantic out of me." —Laura Dannen Redman

TRAVEL / California & the West

Last-minute Mother's Day gifts: Why not a cool hotel stay?

The Ranch at Furnace Creek (in the foreground) and the Inn provide an otherworldly setting in Death Valley National Park. (Scot Temme)

By Amanda Jones MAY 7, 2016, 8:00 AM

hat are you getting that powerful maternal figure in your life for Mother’s Day? Here's a hint: What most moms crave is a break from routine. They want romantic time with a partner; quality time with children, girlfriend time, or

needed most of all, time alone to relax and restore. If you're still struggling, Dads and grateful offspring, here are some suggestions that you can give as an IOU slip of paper if you're doing this at the last minute. Best of all, most of these are within a halfday drive.

Furnace Creek, Death Valley Ranch at Furnace Creek and the Inn at Furnace Creek and are in the heart of Death Valley National Park, in an otherworldly setting replete with ravines, sand dunes, mountains and baked earth. The ranch, which is less expensive than the inn, caters more to families, but the inn is quieter, more upmarket and has been a getaway for Angelenos since 1927. The inn has a springfed pool, a spa, and a stargazing deck. On moonless nights its an astronomer’s dream. If you choose the inn, you'll need to give Mom an IOU. It closes for the season on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 8) and reopens Oct. 7. The ranch is open year round. garden. The westernthemed ranch has recently remodeled cabin and lodge room accommodation, another springfed pool and tennis courts. Info: Prices are higher at the holidays and in the spring. Doubles at the inn begin about $385 a night. Doubles at the ranch begin about $150 a night. Fairmont Hotel Grand Del Mar, San Diego Like a giant Mediterranean villa on a hillside in Los Peñasquitos Canyon, a wildlife preserve, the Fairmont Hotel Grand Del Mar is one of Southern California’s swankiest. It has three restaurants and a fivestarrated, 22,000squarefoot spa with a dozens of treatments and a stateoftheart fitness center. The golf course is a velvety challenge designed by Tom Fazio.To make the most of it, book a private lesson with a PGAcertified golf instructor, then lunch at the Clubhouse Grill before heading to spend the afternoon at the spa, which even has its own organic skincare range. Another option is to take a cooking class with the culinary staff or a wine tasting with the sommelier. Info: Doubles from $445, but check the website for special offers. Post Ranch Inn Post Ranch Inn recently refurbished the original ranch house as onebedroom retreat. It comes at a hefty price, but its luxury takes some (or all) of the sting out of it's starting price of $3.950 a night. Sitting on the cliff above the pounding ocean of Big Sur, privacy is practically guaranteed. With views of the Pacific in front and the Santa Lucia mountains behind, there is no reason to leave the dwelling.

The retreat has an open floor plan, original art by Gregory Colbert, a hot tub and a king bed with organic sheets. Consider going whole hog bringing in a private chef to cook in the gourmet kitchen. If the Post House is not in the budget, book one of the Inn’s tree house rooms, built so high into the redwoods you feel as though you are floating above the Pacific. The Butterfly Rooms are the least expensive on the property, and although they don't have that gobsmacking ocean view, they are still sumptuous, surrounded on all sides by redwood forest and the purplehued mountains in the distance. Info: At the Post Ranch Inn, Tree Houses from $1,225 a night; Butterfly rooms from $895. The Art Hotel, Denver For the culture vulture mom, Denver,a little more than an twohour flight, has become a the premier public art cities. Thanks to an ordinance that mandates spending on public art, more than 300 pieces dot the city. The downtown's Art District, home of the Art Hotel, is newly revitalized , and the hotel sits opposite the History Colorado Center and around the corner from the famously angular Museum of Contemporary Art. The hotel has a laudatory modern art and photography collection, and you can spend an entire morning discovering pieces in every corner, even hanging from the ceiling. There’s an openair terrace where, in the warmer months, you can dine outside overlooking the sparkling city lights. Info: Doubles at the Art Hotel from $259 Golden Eye, Oracabessa, Jamaica This hotel was named after the James Bond novel and that’s because it’s on the former property of Ian Fleming, who wrote the Bond books while in residence. Chris Blackwell, formerly owner of Islands Record (Bob Marley, U2, Grace Jones), bought the property, and it’s now one of Blackwell’s Island Outpost hotels, a handful of gorgeously located, hip boutique properties in Jamaica. Golden Eye, which is expensive, recently opened 26 one and twobedroom beach huts that are more affordable but still being quirky and luxurious. The beach huts are clustered in their own community at one end of the property with separate swimming pool, bar and beach, so the only reason to go to the main resort is to dine. They are built on stilts for crossbreeze ventilation and are spacious, painted in primary colors to resemble traditional Jamaican houses and have a large covered porch with chandelier and daybed. Ask

This article is related to: Mother's Day

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;CUE EXCITEMENT:

Santa Maria BBQ smokes group biz, p. 10

The art of a robust wine program, p. 24

Elementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakfast tweak packs a crunch, p. 33

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Conquering With Consistency Fairmont builds from the bottom up with six perfect cocktails, p. 38

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In This Issue

contents trendsetters 8 A simple token from Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista is a golden ticket to more grab ‘n’ go sales. By Tad Wilkes

Catering & Events 10 A hands-on Santa Maria barbecue package is Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort’s unique hook. By Ashley Allen Q&A: Adding a dedicated pastry chef makes a big, sweet 16 difference in events business at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills. By Denny Lewis 21 Breaks: Quirk Hotel, Richmond, Virginia. By Tad Wilkes

Menus & Venues 24 Two years of tweaks refine Columbia Sussex’s wine program, which never stops improving and evolving. By Michael Costa

Focus on breakfast 33 The simple addition of granola is Element’s crunchy platform for customization and versatility. By Tracy Morin

bars & Lounges 38 C OVER STORY: Fairmont’s Classics. Perfected. cocktail program finds the right recipe for consistency across 26 countries. By Michael Costa

extra helping 64 A lisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Grilled Artichoke, from the kitchen of Pascal Godé, Executive Chef, using the recipe of Frank Ostini, owner, Hitching Post II restaurant, Buellton, California. ‘CUE EXCITEMENT:

Santa Maria BBQ smokes group biz, p. 10

The art of a robust wine program, p. 24

Element’s breakfast tweak packs a crunch, p. 33

Hotel F&B

photo by iPaul Wagtouicz

For Hotel, resort, and Casino Food & Beverage operations

ON THE COVER Grant Sceney from Fairmont Pacific Rim (center) nuances a cocktail with Nader Chabaane (left) from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Erik Lorincz from the Savoy in London. Photo by Hubert Kang Photography.

Conquering With Consistency Fairmont builds from the bottom up with six perfect cocktails, p. 38

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May June 2016 | Hotel F&B

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From the Editor Pushing

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toward

Perfection

Volume 15 Number 3

May June 2016

Push, Perfect, and Prosper

President and publisher

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” Forgive me the cliche move of quoting Vince Lombardi, but this particular comment from the great coach sticks with me. It’s true, though only partially. We indeed can attain perfection in the micro sometimes. For instance, Fairmont can and has perfected cocktails within its Classics. Perfected. program [see our cover story on page 38]. But to the macro picture, excellence is the ultimate bar. Attaining the occasional taste of perfection is fine, but it’s the striving toward perfect that takes hotel F&B operations to brilliance. Perfecting the micro brings a level of achievement in the macro. And that excellence is measured by how memorable a guest’s experience is. Control is a key factor in the push for perfection. That’s why the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Conference Center decided to stop outsourcing for pastry and add its own pastry chef. Our story is on page 16. A great example of perfection at the micro level fostering excellence in the macro is Element’s simple but studied addition of granola options to its complimentary RISE breakfast [story on page 33]. Granola provides the platform for variety, from healthy to more indulgent, in different combinations and presentations. Making operations consistent and efficient is another road to the goal of perfection. Take a look on page 24 at what Columbia Sussex is doing in its wine program across 43 hotels, where no detail is left unexamined. What details have you ignored lately? Chances are, you’re already doing a lot of things right; the next step is to identify and exploit that extra opportunity to push for perfection. Your guests will remember it.

vice president and A ssociate Publisher

Jeanne Bischoff, jeanne.bischoff@hotelfandb.com David A. Bischoff, dbischoff@hotelfandb.com Vice president, Industry Relations

Michael Costa, mcosta@hotelfandb.com EDITOR IN CHIEF

Thurston E. (Tad) Wilkes III, twilkes@hotelfandb.com Manager of Publishing Operations and Client Services

Sara Simonis, ssimonis@hotelfandb.com Accounting Manager

Jackie Harden, jackie.harden@hotelfandb.com chief financial officer

Larry Walters, lwalters@hotelfandb.com Design and Production Director

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Bob Brown, Margaret Rose Caro, Janice Cha, Norm Faiola, Nancy Fox, Jodi Helmer, David Henkes, Kasey Jackson, Kelly Koepke, Chase LeBlanc, Denny Lewis, Jenny Miller, Tracy Morin

Advertising vice president and Associate Publisher David A. Bischoff, 847-274-1240, dbischoff@hotelfandb.com

Advertising Materials Direct all production, size, and file format questions to production@hotelfandb.com Please upload ad materials to www.hotelfandb.com/files.asp or telephone 847-274-1240 for materials shipping address.

Additional copies/Back issues: Hotel F&B does not sell individual print copies. Digital back issues are available by subscribing at www.hotelfandb.com

Tad Wilkes Editor in Chief Hotel F&B www.hotelfandb.com editor@hotelfandb.com

Winner 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 Folio: Eddie G old Award Winner 2012 Folio: Eddie Silver Award For editorial excellence in Hotel/Foodservice Publishing

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Wolfgang Lindlbauer, Chief Discipline Leader, Global Operations, Marriott International Michael Lunday, Hospitality Management Trainer, Best Western International Darlene Marcello, VP, F&B and Procurement, HRI Lodging and MetWest Terra Hospitality

David Murphy, VP, F&B Design & Development, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Brett Patterson, VP of F&B, Americas, FRHI Hotels & Resorts Morgan Plant, VP of F&B, KSL Resorts Tom Prykanowski, Director, F&B Strategy, Choice Hotels International Guy Rigby, VP of F&B, Americas, Four Seasons Stephen Rosenstock, Executive VP of Operations, Omni Hotels Geoffrey Sagrans, Assistant Director of Materials Management, The Breakers Palm Beach, and President, Localecopia/Localecopia Marketplace Fernando Salazar, Managing Director, Culinary Institute of America – San Antonio Campus Susan Santiago, SVP, Operations, Americas, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Glenn Schmitt, Founder, President, MarkeTeam, Inc. Beth Scott, VP, F&B and Merchandise, Disney Parks & Resorts Martie Sparks, VP of Banquets, Catering & Convention Services, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Mark Southern, Director, Product Innovation, F&B, Hilton Worldwide Nathan Tanner, Corporate Director of F&B, Pacific Hospitality Group Alex Taylor, Senior VP, Restaurants and Bars, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Ken Taylor, VP, Strategic Development, MarkeTeam, Inc. Susan Terry, VP of Culinary and F&B Operations, Marcus Hotels & Resorts David Tetens, Director, North America F&B, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Frits van der Werff, Director of Operations, Fisher Island Club Ellen Burke Van Slyke, Director of Restaurant Development, the Americas, Hilton Worldwide John Vogelmeier, Assistant VP, F&B Operations, Vi (formerly known as Classic Residence by Hyatt) Robert Walker, President and CEO, United Restaurant + Hospitality Consultants Frank Weber, VP of Operations, Virgin Cruises

David Marsh, Senior VP of Operations, Sage Restaurant Group

Peggy Williams-Smith, Senior VP, SafeHouse Restaurants, Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Korri McFann, Marketing & Sales Strategy Director, Wedding & Honeymoons, Disney Group Getaways

Richard Zazzaro, VP of F&B, Mohegan Sun

Shawn McGowan, Senior Director of F&B, Brand Initiatives and Programs, Hilton Worldwide

Doug Zeif, Principal, Next! Hospitality Advisors Rainer Zinngrebe, VP of Culinary, Corporate Chef, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

4/15/16 11:22 AM

From the Board

Back to Basics The importance of revisiting foodservice fundamentals.

photo by Oink & Coo Inc.

As hotel F&B operators, it is finally our time. For many years, F&B has been a secondary focus for the hotel industry. However, we have seen a revolution of the freestanding restaurant. F&B is finally receiving the recognition it deserves as an integral part of the hotel guest’s stay and experience. The same factors that drive you to your favorite neighborhood spot—vibe, ambiance, experience—are impacting the guest’s decision as to which hotel to book. The fact is, F&B has become a single leading factor in developing a hotel’s personality, creating a sense of arrival and destination, and differentiating truly outstanding properties. If hotels are to be pushed to the forefront of the culinary scene, we have to get better. Going back to the basics is exactly that—making sure that our F&B standards, philosophies, and actions are in line with what is happening in the marketplace and what our guests want. It really is that simple. At FRHI Hotels & Resorts, we have been focusing on foodservice fundamentals for the past three years. We strive to get the basics right and ensure that our venues are current and relevant to the local market. It doesn’t happen overnight but requires a constant commitment to education, communication, expectation management, and striking a balance between overseeing the small details and focusing on bigger programs, such as our coffee partnership with H.C. Valentine and the development of Fairmont’s new global cocktail program. With the late 2015 rollout of Classics. Perfected., Fairmont returned to its roots at the heart of cocktail culture, where bartenders presiding over some of the world’s most iconic bars have been shaping cocktail trends for more than a century. We invited some of Fairmont’s top, world-class bartenders to explore fresh, modern takes on some of the most beloved classic cocktails. The result is a handcrafted menu of beautifully balanced, delicious drinks that brings the artisan cocktail spirit back to life in our bars.

We are also in the process of launching a different approach to banqueting. New setups, smaller portions, and fresher preparations all lend themselves to a higher quality, more contemporary banquet experience with a more residential or restaurant feel. I’ll end on a key piece of advice we offer our hotel F&B teams: go out into your community and see what is happening. Ask yourself if you are delivering what everyone else is delivering. Can you see yourself having a good time in your own venues? Hotel F&B is already a tough job, but in order to do it effectively, we have to stay connected to our passion and why we entered the culinary world in the first place. If you don’t get out there to experience, enjoy, and live F&B, how can you appreciate what is happening or should be happening in your own venues? 

Brett Patterson Member, HFAB Advisory Board, and VP of F&B, Americas, FRHI Hotels & Resorts

May June 2016 | Hotel F&B

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Fairmont redefines its cocktail program with a fundamental foundation. By Michael Costa

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Fairmont Old Fashioned

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Consistency is the key for any branded menu to work successfully across multiple properties.

But what if that menu

also needs to be executed accurately

in 26 different countries?

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Sparkling Collins Royale

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That’s the challenge Fairmont faced with its Classics. Perfected. cocktail program, which launched last fall. The brand’s growing portfolio includes more than 70 hotels globally and 10 new properties opening in the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, and China through 2019. “We needed a program that was consistent across the whole brand,” says Nigel Moore, director of F&B, Asia Pacific, FRHI Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont’s owner. “If our international traveling guests have a great cocktail at a Fairmont in North America, then they should have the same experience at a Fairmont in China, the Middle East, Europe, or elsewhere.” Aside from the global focus, Fairmont also addressed current cocktail trends with the program. Their FAME (Fairmont Artistic Mixology Experience) initiative has been in place for nearly a decade, but is training-focused rather than an actual menu. During that time, Fairmont left the cocktail decisions primarily up to each property. “It was time to get everybody on the same page, where in the past we worked a bit too independently,” Moore says. “Our guests were leaving our bars, knowing the speakeasy down the road was making cocktails more attuned to what was happening in the industry. Hotel bars haven’t generally kept up with where cocktail trends have moved in the last few years.” Those trends include shifting away from overwrought cocktails toward a renewed focus on flawlessly executing timeless tipples. Consequently, the new menu features versions of the Old Fashioned (Fairmont Old

Fashioned), the Paloma (Pomegranate Paloma), the Last Word (the Right Word), the Tom Collins (Sparkling Collins Royale), the Martinez (Perfect Martinez), and the Boulevardier (VSOP Boulevardier).

“If you can’t make a great classic cocktail, then I don’t want anything else you put in front of me,” says Mairead Murray, manager, F&B, Americas, FRHI Hotels & Resorts. “It’s

So much more than what’s on the surface...

continued on page 44

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an expectation today that really applies to all generations. It doesn’t matter if they’re boomers or millennials, they all know the difference between a good cocktail and a bad cocktail.” Moore adds, “You look at the history of classic cocktails, and many of them were created in hotel bars decades ago. We thought it was the perfect time to take our program in that direction but

still bring those drinks up-to-date for modern palates.” So far, the Classics. Perfected. menu—highlighted by six “Revival” drinks—accounts for an impressive 20% of overall cocktail sales at two of Fairmont’s showcase properties: the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City and the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver. Those at the brand say it’s still too early to assess

the numbers across the entire global portfolio, but they expect that data to be complete this summer.

Ideation and Creation The new menu is a brand standard at all Fairmont hotels except the Fairmont Makkah and the soon-to-open Fairmont Riyadh (because alcohol is continued on page 47

TASTEMAKERS: The new cocktail menu grew from a four-day ideation session in Seattle. IN THE MIX were Fairmont bartenders (from left) JOHN PAUL ROMEO, FORMERLY OF FAIRMONT MIRAMAR IN SANTA MONICA, Nader Chabaane from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Grant Sceney from Fairmont Pacific Rim, Erik Lorincz from the Savoy in London, and Tom Hogan from Fairmont Singapore.

Evening Socials

photo by hubert kang

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If our international traveling guests

have a great cocktail the same experience

at a Fairmont in North America, then they should have

photo by kevin hewitt

at a Fairmont in China, the Middle East, Europe, or elsewhere.

VSOP BOULEVARDIER

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some refreshing, juicier cocktails; and sparkling too,” Casey says. “We put everything out there, then moved the pieces around until they made sense, like a puzzle. We worked hard to get

those pieces to fit together.” Liquid Kitchen also served as a hands-on laboratory for experimenting with ingredients and cocktail continued on page 50

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illegal in Saudi Arabia), but it isn’t the typical top-down mandate from corporate headquarters. Instead, it was born behind the bar, through a collaboration of Fairmont’s top five “Tastemakers” from hotels in the United States, Canada, Singapore, and England. Last June, Fairmont flew in bartenders Erik Lorincz from the Savoy in London, Tom Hogan from Fairmont Singapore, Grant Sceney from Fairmont Pacific Rim, Nader Chabaane from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, and John Paul Romeo from Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica for a four-day ideation session at Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen studio in Seattle. Moore and Murray were also there to assist. “I’m used to writing cocktail menus by myself at the hotel, so this was different,” explains Sceney. “When we got to Seattle, they didn’t say, ‘You guys have to create a classic cocktail menu.’ They said, “You’re here to create a cocktail menu.’ We only went in a classics direction after brainstorming. We were all sitting in the same room bouncing ideas off each other, with about 300 styles of drinks written on a whiteboard. Then we either crossed them off or put them into categories. It was a lot of fun.” Chabaane says they continued the paring process down to about 15 finalists. “The hardest part was actually getting it down to six drinks,” he says. “We had to consider what would translate best to our guests and not just what we like to taste as bartenders.” The final six drinks represented enough to please a broad range of palates, with “some strong-spirited ones;

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Marketing Mixology

Fairmont puts Classics. Perfected. on display at the bar and online. Fairmont’s latest cocktail initiative, Classics. Perfected. (see main story) is a brand-wide step toward tweaking iconic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned for today’s palates. However, there’s nothing old fashioned about how Fairmont markets that program to guests. The brand started a sustained rollout last fall at key individual properties that could generate high-profile publicity, including Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, Fairmont Singapore, and others, rather than an all-atonce launch across the portfolio. Each hotel made a splash with a lavish event, and some, such as the Savoy in London, included live music and costumed dancers. Online at www.fairmontcocktails.com, the brand presents a robust and interactive experience with professionally shot photos, recipes, video, biographies of Fairmont’s “Tastemakers” who created the menu and the story behind it, their preferred spirit partners, and more. The recipes showcase Fairmont’s crystal glassware, made by Schott Zwiesel and

distributed by Fortessa. Fairmont plans to sell those glasses on property and online. Many of the photos were taken at Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen studio in Seattle, where the menu was also created. “Our studio was a great place to shoot because we have a classic look that ties into the menu theme,” says Casey. At Fairmont’s actual bars, the physical menu features blackand-white artwork of the cocktails, recipes, and garnishes from award-winning Toronto-based illustrator Katy Dockrill, printed on heavy-stock paper and bound together at the top-left corner. “People love the pictures,” says Grant Sceney, head bartender at Fairmont Pacific Rim. “They can see exactly what cocktail they’re getting, and they feel comfortable ordering it.” In fact, at some properties, the menus are so appealing that “people walk out with them,” says Nader Chabaane, director of mixology at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. “Sometimes they’ll take 100 in a week, and I get a little —MC crazy having to reorder them.”

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combinations. Casey has worked with Fairmont’s beverage program since 2006 and helped create the FAME program, so she and her staff knew how ideas translate into reallife logistics at Fairmont properties around the world. “A global program can be challenging, because you have to make sure the core ingredients are available

everywhere,” says Casey. “I’ll give you an example: Our Paloma has fresh pomegranate juice, but that’s not readily available in certain parts of the world. So I put together a backup recipe using Monin pomegranate syrup, which you can get globally, and mixed it with cranberry juice for a taste very similar to fresh pomegranate juice. We made a few of those side recipes just in case.”

Another crucial aspect for consistency is the availability of specific spirits (see sidebar), which was a foundational element for Classics. Perfected. even before the menu was made. “We had to ensure that our base spirits were available to us globally, and the menu built using those spirits—that’s where you lock in consistency from property to property,” notes Moore. continued on page 53

photo by hubert kang

Erik Lorincz from the Savoy in London looks on as Nader Chabaane from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hones a recipe.

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It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re

boomers or millennials, they all know the difference between

a good cocktail and

photo by kevin hewitt

a bad cocktail

Perfect Martinez

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Palate Pleasers Even though the new menu is based on classic cocktails, it still required some tweaking for current customer tastes. “It wasn’t like we just copied the historic recipes and went home,” says Sceney. “When I returned to Vancouver, I was telling my team about the drinks, and one guy laughed and said, ‘So you went to Seattle for four days with some of the best minds in the cocktail world, and all you came up with was an Old Fashioned?’ I told him we probably made that Old Fashioned in 90 different styles, with different balances, measuring the Brix, knowing exactly how much sugar goes into it—every variation you can think of—to come up with one that

we think is best suited to our clientele.” Chabaane says their Old Fashioned “splits the base between bourbon and rum. It’s a slight twist that we think makes it perfect without adding any extra sugar. That drink still tastes like a classic Old Fashioned, but we’ve updated it for today’s guests.” Another classic tweaked is the Tom Collins, called a Sparkling Collins Royale on the menu. “Traditionally, it’s made with gin, citrus, a bit of sugar, and soda,” explains Sceney. “The one we created is a Champagne-style Collins using Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label, vodka, and cucumber. We pulled two different styles together to make one drink that was elegant and refined for the people we want in our lounges.”

Presentation and Pricing Since classic cocktails don’t require an over-the-top presentation, Fairmont decided the best way to showcase the drinks was through sleek new glassware. The brand partnered with Fortessa to select Schott Zwiesel crystal highball, rocks, stemmed martini, coupe, and Double Old Fashioned glasses for the six cocktails (see sidebar) to use at Fairmont properties. Although Classics. Perfected. is a branded menu, pricing for each drink is not uniform across the portfolio. “We told our teams, ‘Do your market research, see who your top five competitors are, how much their cocktails cost, and price continued on page 55

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yourselves in that bracket,” Moore says. “Don’t be a typical hotel menu with huge margins. Go out and compete with the local market so we can draw locals to our bars.”

Sceney visited Fairmont’s Queen Elizabeth in Montréal as an anonymous customer to test the menu after it rolled out there, and “they didn’t know I helped create it. I sat down and ordered the drinks, and they came out

exactly as we intended,” he says. Training for the menu at each property is conducted onsite either by one of the “Tastemakers” or by Casey’s team. continued on page 56

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toward

Perfection continued from page 55

Moore notes that the menu “doesn’t stop the input from our property-level bartenders. We don’t want to take their creativity away, and we still allow them to have regional and signature cocktails on the menu,” he says. “But without classic cocktails as your building blocks, you can’t make a meaningful signature cocktail. The classics teach you consistency, exact measurements, using the finest spirits, and following specific recipes, right down to if it’s meant to be shaken, it’s meant to be shaken, and if it’s meant to be stirred, it’s meant to be stirred.”  Perfect Martinez Michael Costa is VP of industry relations for Hotel F&B. HotelF&B_NRA_HalfPage_MayJune_2016_NRA 2016 4/1/2016 3:56 PM Page 1

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San Diego Goes Big For The Fourth of July by Michelle Gross

Tristan Loper

The “Big Bay Boom“ is the largest fireworks display on the West Coast. When it comes to Independence Day, San Diego goes big. So big, in fact, that the city is home to one of the largest firework displays on the West Coast (if not the largest). It’s a time-honored tradition that never fails to deliver a good time. So where can you go to catch the show? ADVERTISING

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Luckily, T+L has you covered. From a rooftop speakeasy in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter to a cruise around San Diego Bay to the terrace of one of the city’s most celebrated hotels, read on for the best tricks, tips, and spots to make the most of your holiday this year.

Downtown There are only three words to describe July Fourth in downtown San Diego: Big Bay Boom. Starting at 9 p.m. and launched from barges located around the bay, not only is this the largest fireworks show in town, but the display is so big and so loud, it can be seen and heard from pretty much any part of downtown. If you want to be in the thick of the action, your best bet is to heed Horace Greeley’s advice and “head west.” You can’t go wrong in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Harbor Island, and Shelter Island—all great locations to see the fireworks. Get there early and post up at the beach with all your essentials. These areas tend to fill up fast and it will be more rewarding if you come prepared with beach blankets and beverages in tow. As in years past, a free shuttle service will be available to and from Harbor Island and Shelter Island. Mission Bay is a perennially popular party spot, made all the more fun if you have access to a boat. Speaking of boats, harbor cruises are a really fun and exciting way to spend the holiday. Check out Hornblower Cruise Line’s special 4th of July Fireworks Dinner Cruise. Included with the price of admission is a dinner buffet and some killer views of beautiful downtown San Diego. If you’re hoping to stick around the city, The Nolen’s rooftop bar and lounge in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter is your best bet. Likewise, the views from Mister A’s rooftop will go un-paralleled, as will the experience of dining at one of the city’s most distinguished locales. For those looking to mix in a bit of history on this already historic occasion, Old Town will be hosting a free, oldfashioned Fourth of July celebration where guests can relive the excitement of an 1800s Independence Day party. The all-day event starts at 10 a.m. and includes activities and games for all ages. Guests are encouraged to participate in the parade around the plaza reminiscent of the July 4 parades of early San Diego with music, animals, banners, and people in historical costumes.

Courtesy of La Valencia Hotel

La Jolla Shores Working your way up the coast, La Valencia Hotel—also known as La Jolla’s Pink Lady—will come alive with music and entertainment for this year’s Fourth. Perched above the cliffs of La Jolla Cove, this timeless hotel offers extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean and overlooking Ellen Browning Scripps Park guests and diners can enjoy drinks on the terrace of the hotel which affords both the views and a sense of respite from the crowds below.

Del Mar If you’re looking to celebrate in style, guests of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar will be able to partake in their own private fireworks show. As in previous years, the party will take place on the resort’s Aria Lawn and feature a sunset barbeque buffet including all-American favorites, live music, and some of the best fireworks in town. Non-resort guests can enjoy a Fourth of July brunch from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Amaya. For more information about where or how you can celebrate this fourth of July, check out SanDiego.org.

Michelle Gross is an Editorial Producer and Contributing Writer at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @mtothegnyc.

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Yes, You Can Still Ski This Season—Here's Where the Snow Is The promise of El Niño snow lingers deep into April at the West's high-altitude resorts, extending the ski season—and the spring après scene. 

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by BRANDON PERLMAN APR 8, 2016

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Call it Mountain March Madness: Last month saw prolific snowfall at some of the nation's top resorts with more storms expected into the first week of April. All that powder adds up to some truly pleasurable end-of-season turns, with several resorts announcing last week that they're staying open into May. While you're on the mountain, be sure to renew your ski pass for next season to score the lowest prices and best perks. For instance, buy your Vail Resorts Epic Pass before April 10 and get six Buddy Tickets on top of access to some 13 resorts and 32,000 acres of skiing. Buying your first season pass? This spring, when you turn in your single day lift ticket at purchase of your pass, Vail Resorts will apply its cost towards the pass: $809 for adults and $419 for kids. Right now the Mountain Collective pass offers two days at 12 top peaks, including Aspen, Jackson Hole, and Sun Valley, for $379. Buy it now and your kid's pass is basically free ($1). Check out M.A.X. Pass for five days of access to 25 mountains across North America, including Winter Park and Steamboat, Colorado, Big Sky, Montana, and, new for 201617, Alyeska, Alaska. The pass is priced at $599 through May 2. ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

COLORADO Resort: Aspen Snowmass Closing Date: Snowmass, April 10; Aspen Mountain, April 17, Aspen Highlands, May 1

Resort: Lake Louise Closing Date: May 8 Snow report: 57" base Insider info: "Lake Louise Ski Resort will close May 8 this year to get ready for summer operations. Conditions are fantastic right now and we expect plenty of snow right up until close, as April and May in the Canadian Rockies often offers some of the best skiing in North America," says Robin Locke, vice president of operations. Closing festivities: The greatest spring party in the Canadian Rockies hits April 30th featuring a rail jam and DJ Buffalochild. Where to stay: The Post Hotel Buy next year's season pass: Mountain Collective, $379 when you buy in April. Includes two days (no blackout dates) at 12 destinations worldwide. Resort: Whistler/Blackcomb Closing Date: May 30 Snow report: 118" base Closing festivities: The World Ski & Snowboard Festival hits Whistler April 8-17. A 10-day mix of epic athleticism, music, and art that comprises Canada's largest free, outdoor concert series. Where to stay: Fairmont Chateau Whistler Buy next year's season pass: Edge Card, purchase before May 2 to lock in early season pricing of $1,107, which includes the remainder of the current season and no blackouts next season.

ALASKA Resort: Alyeska Closing Date: May 28 Snow report: 206" base Insider info: This resort in the glacier-carved Chugach southeast of Anchorage peaks in April—and May—with spring skiing hours extending from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Average winters see 650 inches of snow, and so far this season the resort reports 786 inches. Closing festivities: The Spring Carnival, from April 8 through 10, is a riot—from the Idiot Swim to the Dummy Downhill. Stick around Friday and Saturday night for a two-night stand at The Sitzmark by California soul specialists Mother Hips. The next weekend, April 15 and 16, one-man jam band Keller Williams plays two nights at the venue. Where to stay: Hotel Alyeska Buy next year's season pass: M.A.X. Pass includes five days of access to 25 mountains across North America, including Winter Park and Steamboat, Colorado, Big Sky, Montana, and and new for 2016-17 Alyeska, Alaska. The pass is priced at $599 through May 2.

SUMMER SKIING Lastly, as it is always ski season somewhere, Portillo ski resort is soon to open in the Chilean Andes just outside of Santiago. Season length: The 2016 ski season at Ski Portillo runs from June 18–October 1. Insider info: After a season punctuated by huge storms, Ski Portillo, Chile, the summer training destination for many of the world's Olympic ski teams, is eagerly awaiting the kick off to the 2016 ski season. Where to stay: The Hotel Portillo Buy next year's season pass: Mountain Collective—$379 when you buy in April. Includes two days (no blackout dates) at 12 destinations worldwide. Ready for some sun and snow? Check out Perlman's site, Mr. Luxury Ski, for more info on how maximize the last turns of the season.

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Trips Not Toasters: Wedding Registries for Travel Lovers Stephanie Rosenbloom THE GETAWAY

APRIL 5, 2016

Spring wedding season is here. Why register for china when you can register for a trip to China? These days travel lovers can forgo table linens and steak knives and register instead for flights, hotels and farflung experiences from brands including United Airlines, Hyatt and Carnival Cruise Lines. Guests can benefit too. If they pay with a reward credit card that earns double points for travel purchases (such as Chase Sapphire Preferred), or if they buy a gift card through an airline shopping portal that doles out points for what they spend (like American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping), they can use your wedding gift to get closer to their own getaway. Here are some of the latest possibilities.

Airfare

Airfare United Airlines is one of the few United States carriers that allow members to tie their frequent flier accounts to a registry. Couples can include a desired destination if they want to make the registry more personal, and can use United’s email tool to let guests know they’re registered there. Alternatively, couples can just provide guests with a link to the United gift registry. Gifts toward air travel purchases can be made online anywhere from $25 up to $10,000. Outside the formal registry model, many airlines offer gift cards and certificates, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. All you have to do is provide guests with the link to the gift card landing page, and then in most cases they can just send you a digital or physical card. If you’re creating a wedding website, simply add the link to the gift card page there. Of course, if you want to get the most miles possible, skip registries and gift cards altogether and deposit any cash or checks you receive into a bank account. Then buy your honeymoon airfare with a travel reward credit card — that way you get the trip your guests gave you while also earning miles for yet another trip.

Hotels A number of major United States hotel and resort brands — Disney Parks and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, Starwood Hotels, Sandals Resorts, Atlantis — outsource their registry services to the same company, HoneymoonWishes.com, based in California. There are typically two types of gifts couples can receive through this service: a “trip contribution,” which are funds that are transferred to the recipients by check or bank transfer, or a “resort credit,” which is applied to

the couple’s hotel account and can be used for anything that can be billed to a room while at the resort. Check your preferred chain’s registry site for specifics though, as the options vary. Like other travel registry companies, HoneymoonWishes.com charges “service and handling” fees, which it says include account management and tollfree customer service for guests. These fees are charged to the guest buying a gift, the couple, or both. HoneymoonWishes.com fees are among the highest. In general, purchasers on a registry powered by HoneymoonWishes.com (read: your guests) are charged a service and handling fee at checkout of either 7 or 9.65 percent, depending on how you split the fees. You can read about how to distribute the fees between the guests and the couple on individual hotel registry sites. Wedding couples who wish to avoid fees altogether should skip these sorts of sites. Not all big hotel chains have partnered with Honeymoon Wishes. Hyatt Hotels, for example, partnered with TheHoneymoon.com on its registry, which charges service fees based on the cost of the gift (higher purchases have lower service fees). Couples can request gifts toward a honeymoon stay or spa services and do so in small, separate increments (for example, asking for six gifts of $50 toward a $300 a night room instead of asking for one $300 gift). Hyatt then sends the couple a gift card or check certificate (there’s no expiration date) with all the funds. For Marriott loyalists, instead of a registry the company offers gift cards from $25 to $2,000, including a “Happily Ever After” design with rings that says “best wishes.” Those who want RitzCarlton gift cards can find them at Ritzcarltongiftcards.com.

Cruises, Cars and Trains Like many hotels, cruise companies, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, also use HoneymoonWishes.com to

power their registry sites. The handling fee is typically 7 percent at checkout plus a 2.65 percent credit card processing charge. Other cruise lines offer gift cards, and there are no fees to purchase them. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line offers gift cards that can be used toward the purchase of a cruise or experiences on board and on shore. The minimum amount is $25; the maximum is $1,000. Railroad buffs may be interested in Amtrak gift certificates, which are available from $50 to $1,000 and can be purchased online. Just note that they can be redeemed only at staffed Amtrak station ticket offices. Amtrak also charges an additional $5 handling fee for each certificate. And for newlyweds who want to hit the open road, the carsharing company Zipcar sells “zipcertificates,” to pay for a Zipcar membership or driving costs.

Online Booking Sites If you don’t want to be wedded to a particular hotel chain or airline, consider a site such as Hotels.com, which allows people to buy gift cards from $10 to $2,000 with no fees or expiration date. The couple can redeem the cards from over 150,000 hotels worldwide. Viator, which offers all kinds of tours and travel experiences around the world, also has gift certificates, though in most places they expire after two years. Ski and snow lovers may want to check out Liftopia.com, which sells gift certificates for lift tickets and passes. And don’t forget that many museums, such as MoMA in New York City, allow for gift memberships.

Honeymoon Registries

Honeymoon Registries Most sites for travel honeymoons are essentially slick ways to collect cash gifts. By allowing couples to register for activities such as surfing lessons or wine tastings, the sites help guests feel as if they are giving the happy couple specific experiences. In reality, the money given for those experiences is usually passed along to the couple as a check or bank transfer to use however they see fit, which means they can use it toward surfing lessons — or not. Which of these companies you choose depends on how much you like the look of their registry and of course the fees it charges you or your guests. Popular options include Honeyfund (one of the least costly options), Wanderable, Honeymoon Pixie and Traveler’s Joy.

Travel Gear Wedding couples can also register for noisecanceling headphones, iPods, chargers and other travel gadgets at places like Bose.com, Apple.com and Brookstone.com. Need gear for a big trip? There’s Camping World, Eastern Mountain Sports and Canon. A site such as MyRegistry.com allows couples to create a single free registry, yet register for items across multiple websites including beach and honeymoon items at Havaianas, RayBan and Patagonia; and luggage from Bric’s, Tumi and eBags.com. All that’s left to do is pack. A version of this article appears in print on April 10, 2016, on page TR3 of the New York edition with the headline: Skip the Toaster and Buy Us a Trip.

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Ňěẅ Ǻđvěňťųřě Čǿmpǻňỳ Șħǿẅș Ỳǿų ťħě Ųňěxpŀǿřěđ Șįđě ǿf Ŀǿș Ǻňģěŀěș

Ģěňťřỳ Jǻčķșǿň’ș Mǻŀįbų Ťřįfěčťǻ přǿģřěșșěș fřǿm řǿčķ čŀįmbįňģ įň ťħě Șǻňťǻ Mǿňįčǻ Mǿųňťǻįňș ťǿ șǻįŀįňģ ǿň ťħě Pǻčįfįč Ǿčěǻň.

Břųčě Ẅǻŀŀįň Ǻpřįŀ 8, 2016

Ǻ ňěẅ ŀųxųřỳ ǿųťfįťťěř ěxpŀǿřěș ǻ đįffěřěňť ẅǻỳ ťǿ đǿ Ŀ.Ǻ.

Ǻbǿųť ťẅǿ mįŀěș ųp fřǿm ǻ đųșťỳ pǻřķįňģ ŀǿť, ťħě ťřǻįŀ ťǿ Șǻňđșťǿňě Pěǻķ věěřș ŀěfť, čŀįmbįňģ ťǿ ǻ 3,111-fǿǿť-ħįģħ șųmmįť ẅħěřě vįěẅș șťřěťčħ fřǿm șňǿẅ-čǿvěřěđ mǿųňťǻįňș ǿň ǿňě șįđě ťǿ Pǻčįfįč Ǿčěǻň įșŀǻňđș ǿň ťħě ǿťħěř. Ťǿ ťħě řįģħť, ǻ șmǻŀŀěř pǻťħ đřǿpș đǿẅň ǻ șŀįppěřỳ șŀǿpě ǻňđ čųťș ťħřǿųģħ ǻ ňǻťųřǻŀ řǿčķ ťųňňěŀ běfǿřě ěměřģįňģ ǻť ťħě fǿǿť ǿf Ěčħǿ Čŀįffș. Ťħě fǿřťřěșșŀįķě bŀųffș ǻřě ěmpťỳ ẅħěň ǻ ģřǿųp ģųįđěđ bỳ Řỳǻň Ģěňťřỳ ǻřřįvěș ěǻřŀỳ ǿňě mǿřňįňģ ǿň ǻ řǿčķ-čŀįmbįňģ ěxpěđįťįǿň. Ťħǿųģħ ňǿ șųřpřįșě ťǿ Ģěňťřỳ, ťħě ŀǻčķ ǿf čǿmpǻňỳ įș řěfřěșħįňģ ģįvěň ťħě čŀįmběřș’ ŀǿčǻťįǿň—jųșť ǻ fěẅ mįŀěș fřǿm ǿňě ǿf ťħě ẅǿřŀđ’ș mǿșť ňǿťǿřįǿųșŀỳ ťřǻffįč-čħǿķěđ čįťįěș.

Ǻđvěřťįșěměňť | Pǿẅěřěđ bỳ Qųěřỳŀỳ

Ťħįș Ỳěǻř Ħěǻŀťħ & Fįťňěșș Ǻřě Ħǿť Ťǿpįčș Jǿįň ųș ǻť ťħě șěčǿňđ ǻňňųǻŀ Řǿbb Řěpǿřť Ħěǻŀťħ & Ẅěŀŀňěșș Șųmmįť įň běǻųťįfųŀ Mǿňťǻģě Đěěř Vǻŀŀěỳ, Jųŀỳ 14 ťħřǿųģħ 17!

Ģěňťřỳ, ǻ čǿfǿųňđěř ǿf ťħě Ŀǿș Ǻňģěŀěș–bǻșěđ ǿųťfįťťěř Ģěňťřỳ Jǻčķșǿň, įș ŀěǻđįňģ ťħě ģřǿųp ǿň ǻň ǻŀŀ-đǻỳ mųŀťįșpǿřť ǻđvěňťųřě įň ťħě Șǻňťǻ Mǿňįčǻ Mǿųňťǻįňș, ǻ řǻňģě běșť ķňǿẅň ǿųťșįđě ǿf Șǿųťħěřň Čǻŀįfǿřňįǻ fǿř įťș Ħǿŀŀỳẅǿǿđ șįģň. Ŀěșș čěŀěbřǻťěđ įș ťħě fǻčť ťħǻť ťħě Șǻňťǻ Mǿňįčǻ Mǿųňťǻįňș Ňǻťįǿňǻŀ Řěčřěǻťįǿň Ǻřěǻ įș, ǻť 153,075 ǻčřěș, ťħě ŀǻřģěșť ųřbǻň ňǻťįǿňǻŀ pǻřķ įň ťħě ẅǿřŀđ—ǻňđ ǻ ħǻvěň fǿř čŀįmbįňģ, mǿųňťǻįň bįķįňģ, ǻňđ mǿřě. “Pěǿpŀě pįčťųřě Ŀ.Ǻ. įň ǻ ŀǿť ǿf đįffěřěňť ẅǻỳș, bųť mǿșť ǿf įť įș Ħǿŀŀỳẅǿǿđ ǻňđ ťħě běǻčħ,” șǻỳș ťħě 44-ỳěǻř-ǿŀđ Ģěňťřỳ, ǻ mųŀťį-đįșčįpŀįňě ģųįđě ǻňđ pěřșǿňǻŀ ťřǻįňěř ẅħǿ, ǻppřǿpřįǻťěŀỳ, ŀǿǿķș ťħě pǻřť ǿf ǻ Ħǿŀŀỳẅǿǿđ ŀěǻđįňģ mǻň. “Bųť ẅħěň ỳǿų ģǿ ųp įňťǿ ťħě Șǻňťǻ Mǿňįčǻ Mǿųňťǻįňș ǻňđ ỳǿų’řě įň ẅħǻť șěěmș ťǿ bě bǻčķčǿųňťřỳ, ỳǿų fěěŀ ŀįķě ỳǿų’řě įň ǻ čǿmpŀěťěŀỳ đįffěřěňť pŀǻčě.”

Ŀǻųňčħěđ ŀǻșť ỳěǻř ẅįťħ Jǿșħ Jǻčķșǿň, ǻ ŀǿňģťįmě ǿųťđǿǿř įňșťřųčťǿř ǻňđ čěřťįfįěđ ẅįŀđěřňěșș ĚMŤ, Ģěňťřỳ’ș ǿųťfįť fǻčįŀįťǻťěș ťřųě ǻđvěňťųřěș fǿř pěǿpŀě ŀǻčķįňģ ťħě ťįmě ǿř ěxpěřťįșě ťǿ ųňđěřťǻķě ťħěm ǿň ťħěįř ǿẅň. Ťħě čǿmpǻňỳ ŀěǻđș ťřįpș ťǿ đěșťįňǻťįǿňș ẅǿřŀđẅįđě, bųť įťș fǿčųș įș fįřmŀỳ ǿň ťħě ųňșųňģ ǿųťđǿǿřș ǿf įťș ħǿměťǿẅň. İň ǻ pǻřťňěřșħįp ẅįťħ Șǻňťǻ Mǿňįčǻ’ș Fǻįřmǿňť Mįřǻmǻř Ħǿťěŀ & Bųňģǻŀǿẅș, Ģěňťřỳ Jǻčķșǿň ǿffěřș ŀǿčǻŀ ěxpěřįěňčěș řǻňģįňģ fřǿm șťǻňđ-ųp-pǻđđŀěbǿǻřđįňģ șěșșįǿňș ťǿ fǻř mǿřě ěxťřěmě ǻđvěňťųřěș. Ǻmǿňģ ťħě ŀǻťťěř įș ťħě ȘǿČǻŀ Ťřįfěčťǻ: ǻ přěđǻẅň-ťǿ-đųșķ ěxčųřșįǿň ($55,000 fǿř șįx pěǿpŀě, įňčŀųđįňģ ťẅǿ ňįģħťș’ ǻččǿmmǿđǻťįǿňș) įň ẅħįčħ pǻřťįčįpǻňťș ťřǻvěŀ bỳ přįvǻťě pŀǻňě ťǿ Jǿșħųǻ Ťřěě Ňǻťįǿňǻŀ Pǻřķ, Bįģ Běǻř Ŀǻķě, ǻňđ Čǻťǻŀįňǻ İșŀǻňđ—ǻňđ řǿčķ čŀįmb, mǿųňťǻįň bįķě, șķį, ǻňđ ķǻỳǻķ ǻŀǿňģ ťħě ẅǻỳ.

Đěșpįťě ťħě ǿvěř-ťħě-ťǿp ňǻťųřě ǿf șǿmě ǿf ħįș ťřįpș, Ģěňťřỳ șǻỳș ťħǻť ěǻčħ ǿf ťħě ǻđvěňťųřěș įș ǻččěșșįbŀě ťǿ pěǿpŀě ǿf ǻŀŀ ěxpěřįěňčě ŀěvěŀș. “Fǿř ěvěřỳ ǻđvěňťųřě ẅě đǿ,” ħě șǻỳș, “ťħěřě’ș pǿťěňťįǻŀ ťǿ đįǻŀ įť ųp ǻňđ đįǻŀ įť đǿẅň.”

Ǻččǿřđįňģŀỳ, ťħě řǿųťě ħě pįčķș fǿř ħįș mǿřňįňģ řǿčķ-čŀįmbįňģ ģřǿųp įș đųbběđ Ěǻșỳ Șťřěěť. Ťħě čŀįmb įș pǻřť ǿf Ģěňťřỳ Jǻčķșǿň’ș Mǻŀįbų Ťřįfěčťǻ, ẅħįčħ ǻŀșǿ ěňčǿmpǻșșěș čǻňỳǿňěěřįňģ ǻňđ mǿųňťǻįň bįķįňģ běfǿřě čǿňčŀųđįňģ įň ǻppřǿpřįǻťě Ŀ.Ǻ. fǻșħįǿň. “Ẅě fįňįșħ ẅįťħ ẅħǻť ỳǿų řěǻŀŀỳ ťħįňķ ǿf Ŀ.Ǻ.—ťħě běǻčħ,” șǻỳș Ģěňťřỳ. “Ǻňđ ẅħěň ťħěřě’ș ǻ bǿǻť ẅǻįťįňģ ťǿ ťǻķě ỳǿų bǻčķ ťǿ ťħě Fǻįřmǿňť, ǻňđ ǻ přįvǻťě čħěf ǿň ťħǻť bǿǻť, įť’ș ťħě pěřfěčť ěňđ ťǿ ťħě đǻỳ.”

Fǻįřmǿňť Mįřǻmǻř Ħǿťěŀ & Bųňģǻŀǿẅș, 310.576.7777, fǻįřmǿňť.čǿm; Ģěňťřỳ Jǻčķșǿň, 323.656.1201, ģěňťřỳjǻčķșǿň.čǿm

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rs’ E d i t oo i ce Ch la ix de n o h c L e dact i o ré

h otels / h ôtels

checking in

ch ambres en ville

Our favourite hotel stays. | Nos meilleurs séjours à l’hôtel.

Hotel Bel-Air

Photo: Dorchester Collection

L o s A n g el e s Tucked away in 12 acres of garden, this 1922 Spanish Mission-style hotel is the city’s prime location to escape the “see-and-be-seen” L.A. culture. What we loved Dining alfresco under the shocking-pink bougainvilleas in the on-site Wolfgang Puck restaurant. Try the kale radiatore pasta with Sonoma lamb ragu, vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic, chili and Locatelli pecorino. If you only have one night Book the Premier Canyon suite, set on the upper hillside, with its own plunge pool, fireplace and views of rolling California hills. Bonus At the namesake spa from Swiss cosmetics brand La Prairie, the two-hour Travel Recovery treatment will help you beat the time-zone-change blues.  Au fond d’un jardin de 5 ha, cet hôtel de 1922 de style mission espagnole est tout indiqué pour qui veut échapper à la culture tape-à-l’œil de L.A. On a aimé Souper en plein air sous les bougainvilliers rose vif du resto Wolfgang Puck. Essayez les radiatori au chou frisé servis avec ragù à l’agneau du comté de Sonoma, tomates mûries sur le plant, ail, piment et pecorino Locatelli. Si vous n’êtes là qu’une nuit Réservez la suite Premier Canyon, haut perchée sur le coteau, dotée d’un bassin, d’un foyer et d’une vue sur les collines vallonnées de Californie. En prime Au spa La Prairie, du nom de la marque de cosmétiques suisse, le soin de deux heures Travel Recovery vous aidera à vaincre la morosité du décalage. 31 0 - 472-12 1 1 , dorc h esterc ollecti on .c om

0 4 . 2 0 1 6 e n R o u t e . a i r c a n a da . c o m

h otels / h ôtels

Fairmont Palliser

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort

S o u t h D e vo n , En g l a n d S u d d u D e vo n , Royau m e- U n i Set in the middle of the Devon countryside, this revitalized Victorian estate’s walls are decorated with vintage curios like top hats and trumpets. What we loved Walking the bird-filled gardens, then exploring the playfully dark interior where there’s a visual and textual surprise around every corner. Look out for the hidden riddle behind the hanging “Danger” signs. If you only have one night Hop from the leather-walled bar to the whisky- and winetasting room, complete with a giant bust of Winston Churchill, his cigar tip glowing red. Bonus In every cheeky guest room, from the Jabberwocky to the Cheshire Cat, the fully stocked minibar is free.  Au cœur de la campagne du Devon, ce domaine victorien revampé déborde de curiosités vintage (tels hauts-de-forme et trompettes) sur ses murs. On a aimé Se promener dans les jardins remplis d’oiseaux, puis explorer l’intérieur sombre et ludique chargé de surprises visuelles ou à lire. Ne manquez pas l’énigme cachée derrière les affiches « Danger ». Si vous n’êtes là qu’une nuit Passez du bar aux murs tapissés de cuir à la salle de dégustation de vin et de whisky, où trône un buste géant de Winston Churchill, la pointe du cigare toujours rougeoyante. En prime Dans les chambres coquines, de la Jabberwocky à la Cheshire Cat, le minibar bien garni est gratuit. 4 4 -13 6 4 -7 3 3 2 2 , g l a z e b r o o k h o u s e . c o m

C a l g a ry The mod carpeting in the newly renovated rooms puts a fresh spin on the property, built in 1914 as one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. What we loved Sipping an afternoon cup of tea from the hotel’s signature Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling label, with vanilla scones, served on a whitelinen-covered table. If you only have one night Reserve a table next to the century-old stone fireplace in the Rimrock and bring a date (or small army) to split the monstrous 48-oz Tomahawk for Two steak with housemade chimichurri. Bonus Take a scenic run on the Elbow River pathway. The two-metre-tall illuminated “Palliser” marquee on the hotel’s rooftop serves as a way-finder.  Les tapis modernes des chambres récemment rénovées ravivent cette propriété bâtie en 1914, à l’ère des palaces ferroviaires canadiens. On a aimé Siroter un darjeeling Margaret’s Hope, spécialité de l’hôtel, servi avec des scones à la vanille à une table nappée de blanc. Si vous n’êtes là qu’une nuit Réservez près du foyer en pierre centenaire du Rimrock et emmenez un ami (ou une armée) avec qui partager le gigantesque steak Tomahawk for Two de 1,4 kg, servi avec chimichurri maison. En prime Faites un jogging panoramique sur le sentier de la rivière Elbow. L’enseigne lumineuse de 2 m sur le toit du Palliser sera votre point de repère. 4 0 3 -2 6 2-12 3 4 , fa i r m o n t. c o m

O r a n j e s ta d, A r u b a Sun yourself by the pool alongside the colourful resident iguanas, or walk across the street to Palm Beach for pristine white sand and to see the island’s trademark (also its natural compass): the arching divi-divi trees that always point southwest, due to Aruba’s trade winds. What we loved Nibbling on arancini fritters, followed by a bowl of lobster bisque, while enjoying floor-to-ceiling views of the Caribbean Sea from the Windows on Aruba restaurant. If you only have one night Head up to the Jacuzzi on your villa’s private terrace for a soak under the stars. Bonus The Links at Divi Aruba – the island’s only nine-hole golf course – goes for the green with recycled water and no fertilizers.  Lézardez à la piscine avec les iguanes colorés ou traversez la rue pour le sable blanc immaculé de la plage de Palm Beach, où vous pourrez examiner un dividivi, cet emblématique arbreboussole qui ploie toujours vers le sud-ouest à cause des alizés d’Aruba. On a aimé Grignoter des arancinis, suivis d’une bisque de homard, tout en admirant la mer des Caraïbes par les baies vitrées du Windows on Aruba. Si vous n’êtes là qu’une nuit Montez à la terrasse privée de votre villa pour jouir du jacuzzi sous les étoiles. En prime Le Links at Divi Aruba, seul golf de neuf trous de l’île, se met au vert : on y arrose à l’eau recyclée et on n’épand aucun engrais. 2 9 7- 5 8 3 - 5 0 0 0 , d i v i r e s o r t s . c o m

Glazebrook House

Fairmont Palliser

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort

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Photo: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Fairmont Palliser)

Glazebrook House

To Celebrate Tax Day (Really), 10 Travel Deals In Transit By SHIVANI VORA APRIL 13, 2016

The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, Calif. is offering No Taxation Without Relaxation. In the world of travel, April 18 — this year’s deadline for filing tax returns — is an incentive for hotels to create packages to lure guests who might be feeling flush with extra cash. According to Nancy Millett, the global consumer business tax leader for Deloitte, many taxpayers get a refund because they don’t adjust their withholding to take into account their projected deductions and exemptions. “As a result, they get money back at the end of the year,” she said. Spending this money on travel is common, said Adam Weissenberg, the head of Deloitte’s travel, hospitality and leisure group. “Travel deals pegged to tax day

may be gimmicky, but they benefit the travel industry because people are more willing to spend on trips when they have a pool of cash,” he said. Here are 10 offers designed with tax day in mind: The Danforth Inn in Portland, Me., has the File Your Taxes and Have a Drink package. It includes a two-night stay, a Champagne breakfast daily, a threehour class on cocktail-making with the property’s mixologist, Trevin Hutchins, and a tasting dinner with cocktail pairings at the in-house restaurant, Tempo Dulu. Prices from $795. Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, Calif., is offering No Taxation Without Relaxation. Guests receive 15 percent off their room rate with a stay of at least two nights and a $100 resort credit per stay. Rooms from $389 a night. It’s the Tax Day Hot Springs Detox at the Ted Turner-owned Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa in Truth or Consequences, N.M. The package includes three nights’ accommodations, nightly dinner for two at the Restaurant at Sierra Grande, a $300 spa credit, a spa robe per guest, two soaks per day per guest at the on-property hot springs and a guided half-day tour of the area. Bookable now for stays through May 31. Prices from $1,780. Marriott is offering Tax Day Savings in Washington, D.C., with up to 20 percent off regular rates at participating JW Marriott, Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Marriott, Courtyard and Residence Inn properties. Guests who stay three nights save 15 percent off their room rate; the savings is 20 percent with a four-night stay. The deal is valid for stays between May 26 and Sept. 5. Guests who make a reservation on Monday, April 18, for a future stay at the Time New York Hotel in New York City receive a 10 percent discount on room rates as well as a credit equivalent to the tax on their room to use at the hotel’s cocktail lounge, LeGrande. Book with the code Taxthat. Rooms from $199 a night. The Westin New York Grand Central in Manhattan isn’t charging guests tax with the Tax Is On Us promotion. Because lodging taxes in the city are around 15 percent daily, guests save that amount for each night they stay. Book online through May 17 for stays through the end of the year using the code Taxbrk. Rooms from $185 a night. At the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino, guests can book the “No Tax, Just Relax” package; included is a fifth free night, no room taxes, a $40 casino coupon and a free cocktail per person. Packages must be booked by April 25 for travel through Dec. 18. Rooms from $355 a night.

Guests at the Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotelin Costa Mesa, Calif., get a tax-free stay (an 11 percent daily savings) when they book a room before April 30, for a stay by June 30. Rooms from $199 a night. The Fearrington House Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property in Pittsboro, N.C., is offering the one-night Tax Day Getaway. The package includes accommodations, breakfast, a traditional afternoon tea, a three-course dinner at the Fearrington House Restaurant and a $25 gift card to use at any of Fearrington’s shops. Bookable now for stays through May 31. Rooms from $520 a night. With Royal Caribbean’s offer, travelers can book a tax-free cruise on sailings six nights or longer to the Bahamas, the Caribbean and round trip to the Mediterranean; this deal includes itineraries on the brand’s newest and biggest ship, Harmony of the Seas. The offer is valid April 14 to 18, for travel May 15 through March 31 next year.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/14/travel/tax-day-traveldeals.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftravel&action=click&contentCollection=travel&region=rank&m odule=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=1

Our Town: A Travel Editor’s Guide to San Diego by Michelle Gross

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From old school favorites to new hidden gems, America’s Finest City is teeming with innovative eateries and fun things to do. Editorial Producer & Contributing Writer Michelle Gross takes us on a tour of her hometown. There’s nothing that evokes more of a sense of personal pride than when someone asks me where I’m from, and I get to answer with “San Diego." It’s a city I’m proud of and one I will always call home—no matter how long I’ve lived elsewhere. So it’s been of particular interest to me of late that San Diego is being touted as one of the country’s best travel destinations. The capital of craft beer, the birthplace of Comic Con, and home to a world famous zoo, San Diego has always has been cool. It was cool 41 years ago when my father packed up his 1972 Red Dodger Charger and drove cross-country from Detroit to Mission Beach, and it’s cooler than ever, thanks in part to a thriving culinary scene, crafty sommeliers, local artisans, and entrepreneurs.

Roxanne Edward

Where to Eat The city’s culinary scene has expanded far beyond the burrito in recent years. If you’re seeking something with bit of San Diego history, dinner on the patio of Piatti’s in La Jolla is a great way to listen to a bit of local gossip while sipping chianti and chowing down on some homemade linguini or veal scaloppini. If you venture a little further up the coast, breakfast burritos are served all day at Pipes Café in Cardiff By The Sea. Make sure you save some room for dessert because across the street, VG Donuts is home to some of the best maple-glazed donuts in the history of maple-glazed donuts.

Kevin Baird via Flickr.com / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

With a weekly farmers market and a variety of freshly minted bars and boutiques, San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood is teeming with some of the best and most innovative eateries in town. Ironside Fish & Oyster is turning out some of the freshest seafood and creative cocktails. Plus, you really can’t beat the $1 oysters and drink specials during

happy hour. A relative newbie to the neighborhood is Top Chef all-star Richard Blais’ Juniper & Ivy. His take on refined American classics like chorizo and octopus and carne cruda asada are prepared expertly and with a “left-coast edge.”

Jim Nix via Flickr.com https://www. ickr.com/photos/jimnix/5367093372

If it's Mexican food you’re after, you can stop in to any one of the nine-million hole-in-the-wall spots around town. A trip home for me isn't complete without a stop at El Indio Shop for some rolled beef taquitos, carne asada, and homemade chips and salsa. For those looking for something a little more upscale, chef Javier Plascencia’s Bracero Cocina is the hot ticket these days, serving up everything from street tacos to crispy brisket. Reservations at this James Beard-nominated spot can be hard to come by. Luckily, the bar offers a full menu and a front-row seat to bartenders mixing up freshly shaken tequila based cocktails.

What to See Between the world famous San Diego Zoo, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and downtown's trendy Gaslamp Quarter, there’s no shortage of fun and family-friendly activities. Considered the cultural heart of San Diego, Balboa Park will forever be engraved in my mind as the setting for many happy childhood memories and now it’s expanded its reach (and its audience) with the opening of open-air resto-lounge Panama 66. Catch a theater production in the Old Globe Theater or a concert at Spreckels Organ Pavilion for an experience you’ll never forget.

Jim Nix via Flickr.com / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Another interesting area worth a mention is Historic Old Town, which is full of restaurants, galleries, cafes, and a plethora of souvenir stores. Though it’s kitschy (and a bit touristy), Old Town is nonetheless an interesting piece of San Diego history.

Where to Relax Yogis around the world know the Self Realization Temple and Meditation Gardens in Encinitas are some of the most beautiful and serene places to find a sense of calm in an otherwise over-stimulated world. From the beautifully cultivated Japanese gardens to the koi ponds and sweeping ocean views, these are the best places to take a leisurely stroll and find some inner peace. If you’re looking for even more zen, head to the Spa at Torrey Pines Lodge. Their signature treatments, like the Spirit to Soul Ritual and Ancient Oceans Ritual, won’t disappoint.

Where to Stay Because I’m partial to anything with an ocean view, La Valencia Hotel is an amazing little boutique in downtown La Jolla with killer views of the Pacific Ocean. Situated within walking distance of tons of shops and restaurants (including one of my favorites, George’s At The Cove), this is the perfect place to post up while you’re in town. A little further up the coast, L’Auberge Del Mar is an attractive seaside resort with a lively (and very local) Living Room bar scene and award-winning spa. For those seeking more of countryside vibe, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe boasts a newly refurbished 3,000 square foot spa and access to the highly coveted Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. Lastly, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is worth an honorable mention here. The ultimate in luxury hotels in San Diego, what the Grand lacks in ocean view it more than makes up for in on-site amenities including golf, spa, pool, and five-star restaurant Addison. The beautiful Tuscan-inspired architecture and décor doesn’t hurt either.

Michelle Gross

Best Day Trips If I was a contestant on The Bachelor and this was the hometown dates episode, La Jolla Shores would be my go to seal-the-deal spot. Simply put, it’s beautiful and it has everything you need for a perfect day. The Shores, as locals refer to it, is a great spot to go for a swim, boogie board, or try your hand at surfing. The neighborhood surrounding the beach is peppered with restaurants, surf shops, and boutiques. Likewise, Avenida De La Playa in downtown La Jolla is full of kayak and paddleboard rental shops, many of which offer guided tours though La Jolla coves and see sunning sea lions.

Kari via YouTube.com / CC BY-NC 2.0

Coronado Island is a day trip that shouldn’t be missed—go to the quaint ice cream shops and boutiques, and visit the historic Hotel Del Coronado. If you’re looking for some adrenaline-fueled gambling action, a day at the Del Mar Racetrack is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. The track really comes alive in the summer months between July

and September, when racing season, big hats, and Del-Tinis are in full swing. Finally, with over 115 breweries spread across the county, the beer business is booming in San Diego these days. There are so many good ones it’s tough to narrow it down, but if I have to choose, I’d say Green Flash Brewing Company in Mira Mesa and Stone Brewing in Escondido provide excellent tours and food-centric events.

Things I Want To Try One of the great things about going home to San Diego is that it’s almost like going on vacation. There are a couple of places in particular that I’m most looking forward to on my next trip back. Housed in the former San Diego Police Department, the Headquarters at Seaport is being touted as one of the best new dining and retail districts in town— according to my dad, anyway. And the Liberty Public Market opened recently right next to the airport and is supposedly the new it spot to sample the cuisines and culture of San Diego. I can hardly wait to see for myself!

Michelle Gross is a Freelance Producer and Contributing Writer at Travel + Leisure.Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @mtothegnyc

NEWS

What’s Hot: Bermuda icon back in the pink

By Jeff Weinstein on 4/6/2016

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club in Bermuda is about to show off its US$100 million restoration, a two-year process that transformed the 400-room property affectionately known as the Pink Palace. Overlooking Bermuda’s Hamilton Harbour, which will host America’s Cup in 2017, the Hamilton has added 43 guest suites designed by Botelho Wood Architects, three new restaurants, an exhale flagship spa, gym and boutique fitness studio, a private beach club, and a state-of-the-art 60-berth marina. The hotel’s classic pink exterior stands in sharp contrast to the minimalist columned lobby, where soaring white walls appointed with works by artists from Andy Warhol to Tom Wesselmann give the space the feel of an airy modern art gallery. Pieces by Roy Lichtenstein, Yayoi Kusama, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Alexander Calder and Jasper Johns, are scattered among installations by local artists and vintage Bermuda posters throughout corridors and open-air common spaces. In total, the hotel boasts more than 60 museum-worthy pieces. Three new culinary venues include Bermuda’s first and only celebrity-helmed restaurant, Marcus. The 3,000-square-foot venue is led by Chef Marcus Samuelsson, the force behind the James Beard Awardwinning restaurant Red Rooster Harlem in New York City. The focal point of the open-air restaurant, the vision of New York interior design firm Parts and Labor, is a colorful subway-tiled 30-seat bar lined with teal high-backed stools, surrounded by mid-century wood tables, leather banquettes and a private dining alcove decorated with Warhol portraits of Mick Jagger. Custom hanging pendant lamps and drawings by

The famed harbor at The Hamilton Princess in Bermuda

Nelson Mandela vie with distinctively Bermudian decorative touches such as nautical canvas sail cloths and vintage ephemera above the open-air kitchen. The new 1609 Bar & Restaurant, a harbor-side cocktail bar and grill situated on the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new marina, is a 2,500 square foot open-air space with waterfront views from every vantage point. It features a sleek marine-inspired interior with clean, simple lines and a natural sandy palette of teak and Spanish cedar.

Suite with view of Hamilton Harbour

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With a design that beautifully reflects Bermuda’s rich colonial history, Crown & Anchor is an informal dining option. Historic maritime paintings and hardwood tables are among the details. Hamilton Princess & Beach Club houses up to 60 berths, ranging in size to accommodate boats to yachts, and includes a watersports outfitter. A bright and peaceful 5,400-square foot spa and fitness center overlooks Hamilton’s harbor with nine therapy rooms, four manicure stations and two pedicure thrones with an adjoining Zen lounge and wellbeing boutique. A state-of-the-art Mind Body Gym and fitness Studio will offer expertly created barre, yoga and cardio classes. The spa experience extends outside into a new spa pool and poolside yoga pavilion, while an adjacent 2,150-square-foot fitness center spans two stories with state-of-the-art equipment. Five cabanas will be featured at the beach club. The newly renovated negative-edge infinity pool overlooks the harbor on the quiet western shore of the resort and is shaded by two towering palm trees perched on island-like pavilions that float just above the pool’s water, with decks made of Syrian limestone and azure blue-glazed tiles.